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Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 11 2016 12:19 PM

Let's see, we had a shitty spring training and despite it not meaning anything the offensive funk carried into the regular season. We lost 2 of 3 at home to the Phillies. Wright played 3 times in 6 days and required an off-day. deGrom is hurt, we just don't know how badly. Matt Harvey now leads in the NL in losses, and has walked nearly as many batters as he's struck out. Sandy has cancer Grandyman is batting .050

TransMonk Apr 11 2016 12:52 PM Re: Worries here

I'm mostly worried about deGrom. His health is necessary to doing anything big this season. The rest of the items on the list are worries - and certainly concerning when they all occur at the same time at the beginning of the season. But it's too early for me to get out on the ledge over Grandy, Harvey or Wright. The April schedule is very favorable for the Mets, though. That doesn't leave them much time for them to get their shit together offensively. Treading water at .500 (or *gulp* worse) should not be the idea through the first 20 games.

metirish Apr 11 2016 01:13 PM Re: Worries here

Good worries Bucket , Graderson is just brutal to watch when he is shit....#mets twitter is in full meltdown..coming in it was all about how sucky the Phillies starting rotation and pen is....Mets hitters sure cured that.

Frayed Knot Apr 11 2016 01:24 PM Re: Worries here

Granderson has at least hit some balls decently well but either at some fielders or just shy of the wall. Not that that puts a happy face on .050 or anything, but it knocks him down the worries list for me. Put another way, he's certainly flailing around a lot less than some others out there: d'Arnaud, Duda, and even Cespedes aside from him finally stumbling on a mistake pitch he could crush in Sunday's game.

MFS62 Apr 11 2016 01:31 PM Re: Worries here

Run production - not getting hits in bunches. Later

Frayed Knot Apr 11 2016 01:33 PM Re: Worries here

MFS62 wrote: Run production - not getting hits [crossout]in bunches[/crossout].

Ceetar Apr 11 2016 01:41 PM Re: Worries here

deGrom's the only thing I'm worried about in that list. (Well, the cancer too but not really from a baseball standpoint) feel like lat strains could be nagging and cause the lower velocity. I mean, he pitched okay and stuff but that feels like it could linger all season and sap his effectiveness. But who knows, perhaps the skipped start and some daddy time are enough to avert it.

TransMonk Apr 11 2016 01:45 PM Re: Worries here

FWIW, this is exactly what I remember Grandy looking like early last season, too. SNY flashed a Citi Field promo yesterday where they are giving away some Grandy high socks. The promo read "Curtis Granderson Socks", but obviously I read it as "Curtis Granderson Sucks" before I did a double take.

Frayed Knot Apr 11 2016 01:48 PM Re: Worries here

Frayed Knot wrote: MFS62 wrote: Run production - not getting hits [crossout]in bunches[/crossout]. Put another way, in five games this team has 1, 1, 5, 0, and 1 run scoring hits Game #1 - Duda's bloop double barely over 3B scoring two was the only RBI hit (one other run came in via a ground-out) Game 2 - Walker's 2R HR account for all the scoring Game 3 - five separate run-scoring hits all off the Philly bullpen (so there's an asterisk involved) plus deGrom's groundout RBI Game 4 - shutout Game 5 - only Cespedes's HR

Edgy MD Apr 11 2016 02:02 PM Re: Worries here

I think Wright was going to get that off day no matter what, establishing early Terry's plan, and being more ginger in the cold weather. This reflects his policy-based (rather than current condition-based) handling of damaged players going back to the start of his tenure in 2011, when he was resting Carlos Beltran every third game the first weeks of the season, but ruining him out there most every day as the weather got warmer. Start carefully, assess, and gradually increase the workload as observation warrants.

d'Kong76 Apr 11 2016 02:19 PM Re: Worries here

More disappointed than worried. A sweep of the fish sticks and I'll probably be feeling better going out for more early AL nonsense. Lets go Matz!!

Centerfield Apr 11 2016 03:00 PM Re: Worries here

Yeah, I'm with KC. More annoyed than worried, but I do have some concerns. Worried about health and durability of the starters and Familia, considering how much they worked last year. Worried that they will come out flat and not play with the same fire/chip on their shoulder that they did last year. Worried that the Nats will be like, a lot better. But still feel good. Let's win tonight.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 11 2016 03:02 PM Re: Worries here

Not to repeat myself but I feel like shit about this team. What are we basing our optimism on?

Chad Ochoseis Apr 11 2016 03:10 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Not to repeat myself but I feel like shit about this team. What are we basing our optimism on? The best pitching staff in the league, and good enough hitting to make us three games better than the inevitably re-imploding Nationals. I'm not worrying too much about deGrom or Granderson. There's pitching depth and outfield depth to be had and I think Granderson had an awful start last year, too. Wright worries me. He hasn't seemed physically capable of playing 3B since last season, and we're paying him big bucks for five more years.

Edgy MD Apr 11 2016 03:16 PM Re: Worries here

I think sometimes the tendency is to take the slow action. When everybody's dooming and glooming, it can be attractive to take the optimistic view. And the payoff is huge. Now that optimism abounds (I mean, "best pitching staff in the league" is a cool assessment, but it's not necessary been established on the field of honor), one might feel like the community, in their contagious enthusiasm, is missing warning signs.

d'Kong76 Apr 11 2016 03:42 PM Re: Worries here

I'm not optimistic, I'm disappointed. I don't think they should have trekked out to Vegas before KC but they did and they got the split. Home opener was glorious. The last two days have sucked. Sucked bad. It's April 11th, let's beat the Marlins and on Thursday we can come back to this thread and re-examine. Let's go Matz!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 11 2016 03:53 PM Re: Worries here

Chad Ochoseis wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Not to repeat myself but I feel like shit about this team. What are we basing our optimism on? The best pitching staff in the league, and good enough hitting to make us three games better than the inevitably re-imploding Nationals. I'm not worrying too much about deGrom or Granderson. There's pitching depth and outfield depth to be had and I think Granderson had an awful start last year, too. Wright worries me. He hasn't seemed physically capable of playing 3B since last season, and we're paying him big bucks for five more years. What's your take on Matt Harvey? He looks pretty beatable to me so far.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 11 2016 03:54 PM Re: Worries here

Other Mets teams have started out 2 and 3:

batmagadanleadoff Apr 11 2016 04:25 PM Re: Worries here

Edgy MD wrote: I think sometimes the tendency is to take the slow action. When everybody's dooming and glooming, it can be attractive to take the optimistic view. And the payoff is huge. Now that optimism abounds (I mean, "best pitching staff in the league" is a cool assessment, but it's not necessary been established on the field of honor), one might feel like the community, in their contagious enthusiasm, is missing warning signs. Lotta preachin' on goin' on here, eh?

Chad Ochoseis Apr 11 2016 04:25 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Not to repeat myself but I feel like shit about this team. What are we basing our optimism on? The best pitching staff in the league, and good enough hitting to make us three games better than the inevitably re-imploding Nationals. I'm not worrying too much about deGrom or Granderson. There's pitching depth and outfield depth to be had and I think Granderson had an awful start last year, too. Wright worries me. He hasn't seemed physically capable of playing 3B since last season, and we're paying him big bucks for five more years. What's your take on Matt Harvey? He looks pretty beatable to me so far. Well, he wasn't worrisome...dude can't go out and strike out twelve every start. But, yeah, "beatable" is a fair way to describe him. I can walk "best pitching staff in the league" back to "damned good pitching staff".

Edgy MD Apr 11 2016 04:40 PM Re: Worries here

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Edgy MD wrote: I think sometimes the tendency is to take the slow action. When everybody's dooming and glooming, it can be attractive to take the optimistic view. And the payoff is huge. Now that optimism abounds (I mean, "best pitching staff in the league" is a cool assessment, but it's not necessary been established on the field of honor), one might feel like the community, in their contagious enthusiasm, is missing warning signs. Lotta preachin' on goin' on here, eh? No, actually, none.

Ashie62 Apr 11 2016 05:09 PM Re: Worries here

I'm putting whatever early season "disapointment" vibes at the hands of cold April weather. Sometimes it takes these guys awhile to get out of bed.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 11 2016 05:12 PM Re: Worries here

Harvey looks touchable. deGrom looks achy. Even the best pitching staff in the league can't keep opposing teams shut out for weeks on end. Which it looks like this offense may need. It's nascent worry, yes... but I got worry. (I was about to start this thread this morning, until I saw JCL had.

soupcan Apr 11 2016 06:39 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Let's see, we had a shitty spring training and despite it not meaning anything the offensive funk carried into the regular season. Worrying about 2-3? We're past that at this point no? John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: We lost 2 of 3 at home to the Phillies. C'mon. One series. Shitty weather. John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wright played 3 times in 6 days and required an off-day. We knew this was coming. Why freak out about it? John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: deGrom is hurt, we just don't know how badly. He's not. I choose to believe its nothing until there's something. wouldn't you prefer they be extra cautious? John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Matt Harvey now leads in the NL in losses, and has walked nearly as many batters as he's struck out. This is really the only thing that I wonder about (not concerned about, just curious really). Again though, I think this early its silly to make a big deal of it. John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Sandy has cancer He's responding to treatment. John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Grandyman is batting .050 Same thing last year. And Francesa assures me this is normal for him.

Edgy MD Apr 11 2016 06:43 PM Re: Worries here

I wonder if there's statistical support to the notion of some guys just being bad April hitters.

d'Kong76 Apr 11 2016 06:46 PM Re: Worries here

Pretty sure bbrdotcom has monthly split stats of some kind. Francesa has spoken, no need to look it up!!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 11 2016 07:06 PM Re: Worries here

To be sure I wouldn't be up in arms over 2-3 if it also hadn't been a continuation of how shitty they looked in Spring Training. And they looked very shitty this spring. For example, the Mets started 2-3 last year too, but to me at least, it was a competitive 2-3, it came off a very strong spring training, and so when they went and won 11 straight starting in Game 6, it felt genuinely possible, at least until they got pretty raggedy near the end and both Wright and dArnaud went out. And I'm not really up in arms. I'm just looking for something we can look at and say, you know what, this team doesn't completely suck. It has to be something more than Big Jim Henderson's Comeback-of-the-Year.

Ceetar Apr 11 2016 07:10 PM Re: Worries here

d'Kong76 wrote: Pretty sure bbrdotcom has monthly split stats of some kind. Francesa has spoken, no need to look it up!! Unless we're talking BANANA splits... even monthly splits are pretty much arbitrary endpoints and small sample size stuff. But April is a tick off Granderson's career OPS. Leaders, with at least 600 April PA are: Bill Madlock with a .140 drop in April in OPS. .667 vs .807. Followed by Ryne Sandberg, John Valentin, Roy Sievers, Ron Gant, Yogi Berra, Andrew McCutchen.. HoJo at 23 with a 0.090 difference. Dropping to 300 PA and activE: Allen Craig, Chris Coghlan, Pedro Alvarez, Ben Revere, Andrew McCutchen, Will Venable, Brett Lawrie, Chris Carter,Gordon Beckham, Brandon Belt, Jason Kipnis, Mark Teixeira, Giancarlo Stanton

d'Kong76 Apr 11 2016 07:15 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm just looking for something we can look at and say, you know what, this team doesn't completely suck. It has to be something more than Big Jim Henderson's Comeback-of-the-Year. Conforto has looked decent. Walker (who I expect(ed) little from) has had a little flash here and there. Cespedis hit a homer yesterday. The win on Opening day and split it KC, but I already mentioned those. It's only been five games. Two good ones, three awful.

Lefty Specialist Apr 11 2016 07:19 PM Re: Worries here

Eh, a little too early to be worried. Fillet some Fish and all will be right with the world. If they look like crap coming into May, and deGrom still isn't back, then maybe it's time to reach for the Xanax.

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 12 2016 03:11 AM Re: Worries here

Now I'm starting to get kind of worried.

Zvon Apr 12 2016 05:17 AM Re: Worries here

Not yet. We are always gonna hit our share of bumps. I say get those bumps out of the way. [fimg=200:wr3zv4n8]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tCkMkULKjGs/VgdrWaATpOI/AAAAAAAAf2Q/uI6wXj624NsYQYiainYclVD40SUQeMDbACCo/s411-Ic42/CELEBRATE%25212-z15.png[/fimg:wr3zv4n8]

metirish Apr 12 2016 12:47 PM Re: Worries here

Early doors yyybbb but I am worried, we look rubbish

Frayed Knot Apr 12 2016 01:16 PM Re: Worries here

A bit worried about Dabid's defense. There has always been a segment of Met fans who've been trying to move Wright over to the other side of the diamond since shortly after his rookie season. And while I've never been one of them understand that this current stretch could just be a case of small sample size, he's costing his pitchers outs at this point, maybe 3 or 4 just this season so far as basically anything hit down to him lately that isn't routine has become a 50/50 proposition via wide throws, weak throws, double-clutching, or just slower reactions. Last night it was the 1st inning play vs Yellich which, although turned out to be about the only thing that didn't blow up in Matz's face, it did cost him another half=dozen or so pitches to put the inning to bed and putting guys on with 2-outs in front of Giancarlo is going to come back to bite someone eventually. Like I said, maybe it's just SSS. Plus there's really no obvious solution, not now anyway. There's no opening across the diamond for him and we're not going to "Sandoval" him both because of the contract and because, unlike Panda, David can still hit and doesn't have a body shape where his belt breaks when he swings.

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 12 2016 01:26 PM Re: Worries here

Wright seemed to miss a significant amount of spring games. I wonder if he's just a little behind.

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 12 2016 01:27 PM Re: Worries here Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 12 2016 01:29 PM

Accidental double post.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2016 01:27 PM Re: Worries here

I think there's this over-thinking going on. That he has to change his motion in order to reduce stress on his back. But it's... what? Four throws a night? All this mechanical adjustment is doing is making him more self conscious in his execution. We know from experience that Wright's throwing errors have come when he's had plenty of time to think, and now, the mechanical changes are just making him think more. Like that isn't going to make him tighter. It's like trying to teach José Reyes a new running motion as a grown-ass adult. Whose dumb idea was that? Plus, Wright got a paucity of time during spring training to walk out his new motion in game situations. Just let him throw.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2016 01:50 PM Re: Worries here

Let's agree that Matz' awful pitching this spring is also a worry.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2016 01:57 PM Re: Worries here

I hope they have redundancy if Matz doesn't turn a corner — in Verrett and Gilmartin and ultimately, Wheeler. But yeah. I worry about how long they'll ride him. I worry about how long they'll ride Grandy too. And I hate watching these guys rip a pitch only to see it eaten up by the shift. I worry about this team's shift vulnerability, I do.

Ceetar Apr 12 2016 01:58 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Let's agree that Matz' awful pitching this spring is also a worry. let's give him more than 1 bad inning before we tack on how he looked in meaningless games. I'd give much more credence to long lay offs, first real game, first cold game, and that sorta thing. Also I've long said I don't think the Mets prepare their pitchers well enough in Spring in general, you could tack on Harvey's late-inning fatigue to this category as well, and they made a special point to take it slower this Spring thanks to pitching into November. Probably deGrom's soreness too.

cooby classic Apr 12 2016 01:59 PM Re: Worries here

That's true. The winter was a month shorter

Benjamin Grimm Apr 12 2016 02:00 PM Re: Worries here

Going in to yesterday's game, Terry expressed apprehension about Matz's performance. I don't remember the exact quote, but anytime someone expresses something other than optimism and confidence in himself or his teammates, it kind of raises a red flag.

soupcan Apr 12 2016 02:44 PM Re: Worries here

I don't know - maybe its because I basically took a year off from the Mets that I'm now approaching them with a much calmer, more objective attitude, but I'm honestly not concerned. Its a crappy start sure but the starting pitching is not going to just fall off the table and the offense will be fine. Cespedes has hit everywhere he's gone, Wright's bat looks fine, Walker looks like we expected, etc., etc. Maybe they've got a little hangover from last season but they're a good team, the best team that we've seen in Queens in a long time, so while it wouldve been nice to be 5-0, 4-1, I'm cool and more than happy to give them some wiggle room for a while.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2016 02:57 PM Re: Worries here

Yeah I'm not even a little sold on Walker. He's okay, will probably finish the year with 15 dings, but I don;t think he's an adequate No. 5 hitter, he's not signed beyond this year, and we won;t want to pay him then anyway. My plan, which I made up just now, is to trade Walker to the next team that has an injured second baseman, promote Herrera, make him the leadoff hitter, and refashion the lineup: Herrera 2B Grandy RF Cespedes CF Doodoo 1B Wright 3B Conforto LF dArnaud C Cabrera SS Swapping Cespedes to RF vs. LHP & getting Lagares in CF, batting 2nd, vs. LHP. This gives us a whole new sexy look. I know I'm jumping the gun on this and am more than willing to give Walker/Herrera 100 or 150 PAs first, but this is the future. I have foreseen it.

seawolf17 Apr 12 2016 03:02 PM Re: Worries here

No worries. We've got this.

d'Kong76 Apr 12 2016 03:03 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: My plan, which I made up just now, is to trade Walker to the next team that has an injured second baseman, promote Herrera, make him the leadoff hitter Testify!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2016 03:09 PM Re: Worries here

Ceetar wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Let's agree that Matz' awful pitching this spring is also a worry. let's give him more than 1 bad inning before we tack on how he looked in meaningless games. I'd give much more credence to long lay offs, first real game, first cold game, and that sorta thing. Also I've long said I don't think the Mets prepare their pitchers well enough in Spring in general, you could tack on Harvey's late-inning fatigue to this category as well, and they made a special point to take it slower this Spring thanks to pitching into November. Probably deGrom's soreness too. Again, if Matz showed anything in ST, I'd be less worried but he didn't, so I am.

Ashie62 Apr 12 2016 03:23 PM Re: Worries here

Matz's last ST start was 5 clean innings I believe. I am not getting worked up on 4/11. 5/11? Sure. CBS's lead baseball story today is "What's wrong with the Mets?. WTF?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2016 03:33 PM Re: Worries here

He walked a buttload of guys though. I'm also worried that he's dating some weird country singer. Not ready to throw Matz overboard by any means but he's hardly got the track record to consider a reliable kinda guy. He's been injured an awful lot. Give me a few acceptable outings in a row and I'll take him off DEFCON 3.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 12 2016 03:34 PM Re: Worries here

Of the Five Aces, Matz is the one I'm most skeptical of.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2016 03:38 PM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Swapping Cespedes to RF vs. LHP & getting Lagares in CF, batting 2nd, vs. LHP. The deference that keeps us from asking Cespedes to play right hurts my brain. It took Terry a week or two to ask him to play center, and he was all... OK! Hey, everybody, fielding flies in right is easier than in left! Ask Roger Cedeño!

Lefty Specialist Apr 12 2016 04:52 PM Re: Worries here

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Of the Five Aces, Matz is the one I'm most skeptical of. This. He was positively Niese-esque in how he let that inning get away from him.

Chad Ochoseis Apr 12 2016 08:00 PM Re: Worries here

Frayed Knot wrote: A bit worried about Dabid's defense. There has always been a segment of Met fans who've been trying to move Wright over to the other side of the diamond since shortly after his rookie season. And while I've never been one of them understand that this current stretch could just be a case of small sample size, he's costing his pitchers outs at this point, maybe 3 or 4 just this season so far as basically anything hit down to him lately that isn't routine has become a 50/50 proposition via wide throws, weak throws, double-clutching, or just slower reactions. Last night it was the 1st inning play vs Yellich which, although turned out to be about the only thing that didn't blow up in Matz's face, it did cost him another half=dozen or so pitches to put the inning to bed and putting guys on with 2-outs in front of Giancarlo is going to come back to bite someone eventually. Like I said, maybe it's just SSS. Plus there's really no obvious solution, not now anyway. There's no opening across the diamond for him and we're not going to "Sandoval" him both because of the contract and because, unlike Panda, David can still hit and doesn't have a body shape where his belt breaks when he swings. Eh, it's this season, plus ST, plus the 2015 postseason, at least. The sample size isn't that small anymore. Dabidrye is officially my biggest worry. We probably won't "Sandoval" him, and that's annoying. The contract is a sunk cost. He's hitting well enough for now, but if that changes, his salary shouldn't have any bearing on whether the team elects to keep running him out there, trade him or, hell, convince him to retire with a plum assignment in the org and groom him to be Terry's replacement. One advantage of being a large-market team is that we (in theory, if we've recovered from Madoff) can sign big money players as needed. Another should be that we can face up to it when a big contract isn't working out, and not let it dictate the decisions regarding who plays and who sits. It's too early for panic, but I'm wondering if Walker can play 3B.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 12 2016 08:01 PM Re: Worries here

You don't want Walker at third. It'd be Flores for any stretch I'd guess.

Zvon Apr 12 2016 08:18 PM Re: Worries here

Chad Ochoseis wrote: It's too early for panic, but I'm wondering if Walker can play 3B. He has and he can. He came up as a third baseman in 2009 and split between 2nd & 3rd in 2010. After 2010 he played second base exclusively.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2016 08:27 PM Re: Worries here

The problem is that a good season for Walker is somewhere around what a bad season for Wright sits. I'm in no hurry to move on from Wright. Nor am I blaming any small market mentality for any reluctance the team might have from doing so.

Ceetar Apr 12 2016 08:54 PM Re: Worries here

if the Mets really think David Wright can't field anymore (it's very very clear he can still hit) they should really push for the DH next season.

Edgy MD Apr 12 2016 09:04 PM Re: Worries here

If your kid can't hack the math, you should just push for the dumbing down of the math curriculum.

Frayed Knot Apr 12 2016 09:05 PM Re: Worries here

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Like I said, maybe it's just SSS. Plus there's really no obvious solution, not now anyway. There's no opening across the diamond for him and we're not going to "Sandoval" him both because of the contract and because, unlike Panda, David can still hit and doesn't have a body shape where his belt breaks when he swings. Eh, it's this season, plus ST, plus the 2015 postseason, at least. The sample size isn't that small anymore. Dabidrye is officially my biggest worry. I'm sticking with 'SSS' for now. Some NYM fans have been scheming to move him across the diamond since about 10 minutes after his ML debut under the thinking that finding a guy who can actually play the position is as easy as the nearest over-turned rock while seemingly being unaware that your 3B and/or SS are almost always going to lead the team in errors. I was never in that camp but this opening week has been the first time he's ever looked sub-par to me. In just 5 starts there have been about a half-dozen '50/50' type of plays and he hasn't made any of them. Only one error I think, but a bunch of 'couldas' and maybe even 'shouldas' where the play has habitually been just a hair late. Should that continue it'll start adding up to a bunch of missed outs and lengthened innings for the staff and that would start to be a problem. The offense I'm not so worried about. I understand the apprehension due to the back condition and who knows how he'll look longer term. But, since his return from the diagnosis, he's put up a line of .292/.389/.439 over just shy of 200 PAs (compared to his .286/.364/.451 from 2011-14). Not a huge sample -- although a lot bigger than the small one with the fielding woes that have me worried -- and it's also coming off what were essentially two separate months-long interruptions [Apr-Aug, then again Nov-Mar] and with limited spring training. He's not going to be Panda'd because Sandoval hit like shit last year and then came into camp this spring looking even worse which led to him losing his job, despite the huge contract and still being under 30 y/o, to some 26 y/o, 9th round draft pick with 1/2 season under his belt. As long as David can stay on the field and hit he'll play. But if he's going to be a net-negative defender for (IMO) the first time in his career, then he'll need to keep the hitting up in order to not be a drag on the roster. We're a long way from that yet.

Ceetar Apr 12 2016 09:08 PM Re: Worries here

What also feels like SSS is that there seem to be have been a ton of soft grounders to third. These are HARD plays as they are, and David Wright made them better than just about anyone in his prime. He probably makes one or two more without the stiff back, but most 3B probably don't. I'm pretty sure none of Flores, Campbell, Walker, or anyone else on the team right now makes them. Cabrera or Lagares, maybe. maybe.

Ashie62 Apr 12 2016 09:18 PM Re: Worries here

I am not going to throw David under the bus for a few sidearm throws. He has used that style in earlier years. If it really is an issue the AL could be considered. Just in case Flores/Reynolds.

Zvon Apr 12 2016 09:31 PM Re: Worries here

Edgy MD wrote: The problem is that a good season for Walker is somewhere around what a bad season for Wright sits. I'm in no hurry to move on from Wright. Nor am I blaming any small market mentality for any reluctance the team might have from doing so. Just so you know, I'm in no way advocating for Wright to be moved to first base. I just wanted to confirm that Walker could play third. I've been concerned about David's throws for some time now. But he has looked fine as far as the bending & catching (even bare hand). I think all he needs is a few adjustments to his throwing, if that's possible.

Ashie62 Apr 12 2016 10:18 PM Re: Worries here

Edgy MD wrote: If your kid can't hack the math, you should just push for the dumbing down of the math curriculum. . Just think of the AL as a charter school.

metirish Apr 13 2016 12:38 PM Re: Worries here

I am officially worried

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2016 02:12 PM Re: Worries here

I understand all the weather, schedule and "it's early" related excuses but it was clear when they not only didn't win, but weren't particularly competitive in, 13 consecutive spring training games that Terry et al didn't have these guys nearly ready to answer the bell. And to see one of my favorite guys, Doodoo, basically strolling to first base on a hit only to decide on hustling too late to even force a close play at second base? This team is diseased. Fire Dick Scott! Bench Doodoo! And I understand Terry chafing at making lineup changes before they're going well but it's his own fault for thumbs-upping this sonambulent starting 8 to begin with. For example if you sit Grandy for a day and DeAza gets 3 hits, going back to Grandy is only going to make things look worse. This same shit happened early last year too.

Edgy MD Apr 13 2016 02:20 PM Re: Worries here

Nice Terry has got to let Fiery Terry out of the office.

G-Fafif Apr 13 2016 02:23 PM Re: Worries here

Edgy MD wrote: Nice Terry has got to let Fiery Terry out of the office. The manager issued his first "stinkin'" of the year last night, so he's getting a little fired up, perhaps.

Frayed Knot Apr 13 2016 02:27 PM Re: Worries here

How shift-venerable the hitters seem to be has me worried.

soupcan Apr 13 2016 02:36 PM Re: Worries here

I'm still good.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 13 2016 02:39 PM Re: Worries here

Why? If you include spring training the Mets are 3-17-3 in their last 23 games. (I think).

soupcan Apr 13 2016 03:25 PM Re: Worries here

'Cuz its only 7 real games. Yeah the offense ain't crack-a-lackin' but I don't think that'll last with Yo-anus in there daily. Patience my friends.

cooby classic Apr 13 2016 03:53 PM Re: Worries here

Crack-a-lackin' is a good word

Ceetar Apr 13 2016 03:54 PM Re: Worries here

I'm worried bailing on the game last Saturday to stay with the family (Adam LaRoche style!) cost me a short line for the spicy chicken sandwich at Citi.

Mets Guy in Michigan Apr 13 2016 06:20 PM Re: Worries here

Ashie62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: If your kid can't hack the math, you should just push for the dumbing down of the math curriculum. . Just think of the AL as a charter school. I'ver been to some amazing charter schools, including a number in inner-cities that are succeeding where traditional schools have long failed.

cooby classic Apr 13 2016 07:57 PM Re: Worries here

My daughter taught in one in inner city Wilmington DE for her first job.

Zvon Apr 13 2016 08:11 PM Re: Worries here

soupcan wrote: I'm still good. I'm with Soupy.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 13 2016 08:20 PM Re: Worries here

TransMonk Apr 13 2016 10:06 PM Re: Worries here

No worries about the bullpen, so far. While this team has had it's hitting woes during the first three series of the season, the bullpen (which looked as shaky as anything in ST) has been really good. Even with the taxing due to Matz' meltdown on Monday, the relievers have a 2.02 ERA over the first 8 games.

Nymr83 Apr 14 2016 02:32 AM Re: Worries here

The Mets scored 2 runs and still won a game that Logan Verrett started. stop worrying! :)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2016 03:09 AM Re: Worries here

I think Logan Verrett is going to have quite a few starts.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2016 03:15 AM Re: Worries here

I think Logan Verrett is going to have quite a few starts.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2016 09:20 PM Re: Worries here

Maybe it's the sun, or a good day at work, or the midday IPA talking, but I'm feeling a little more sanguine about the offense today. Also, I've seen that they're hitting .250 on balls in play and .500 on hard-hit balls. Which are numbers which are well below league-average AND numbers which generally tend to normalize. Shift or no, things will even out.

Ashie62 Apr 15 2016 01:02 AM Re: Worries here

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think Logan Verrett is going to have quite a few starts. Hopefully not at the expense of deGrom.

d'Kong76 Apr 15 2016 01:12 AM Re: Worries here

I know in today's world BA is not the stat of choice, but Curtis is batting .097. That's 3 points below the Grendozason Line.

Ashie62 Apr 15 2016 04:50 PM Re: Worries here

Ya just know deGrom is going on the DL this weekend.

soupcan Apr 27 2016 03:53 PM Re: Worries here

I'm concerned about team-wide .194 with RISP. I'm assuming that they won't hit continue to hit HRs at their current pace and even if they do, I don't particularly like that type of one-dimensional offense.

Ceetar Apr 27 2016 03:55 PM Re: Worries here

soupcan wrote: I'm concerned about team-wide .194 with RISP. I'm assuming that they won't hit continue to hit HRs at their current pace and even if they do, I don't particularly like that type of one-dimensional offense. small sample size. If one regulates so will the other.

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2016 04:53 PM Re: Worries here

I'm concerned about team-wide .194 with RISP. That's the type of thing I don't worry about because stats like that are usually not sustainable. The overall BA is just a tick below league average (literally one tick: .244 vs .255) so it's not like they're constructed strictly as a low-BA/feast or famine kind of offense.

Frayed Knot Apr 30 2016 12:45 AM Re: Worries here

How's the BA w/RiSP looking about now?

Edgy MD Apr 30 2016 12:57 AM Re: Worries here

I'm worried that the Mets are going to be excellent for about a decade and chest-thumping Mets fans with Yankee sensibilities are in the ascendency, preparing to fart up Mets culture. I mean, I can live with that. But I worry about it.

Elster88 Apr 30 2016 08:19 PM Re: Worries here

I worry that I'm getting too cocky. Invites punishment from the baseball gods. After the game yesterday I'm looking at the pitching matchup and wondering how the Metd could lose today. Very dangerous train of thought.

Lefty Specialist Apr 30 2016 08:52 PM Re: Worries here

I worry that seats are going to be expensive on StubHub this year.

Elster88 Apr 30 2016 10:16 PM Re: Worries here

Terry makes questionable decisions.

Zvon Apr 30 2016 10:25 PM Re: Worries here

Elster88 wrote: Terry makes questionable decisions.

MFS62 May 01 2016 02:07 PM Re: Worries here

Elster88 wrote: Terry makes questionable decisions. During yesterday's post game interview, Terry said he'd be looking for" spots to give Conforto a rest". Memo to Terry: The kid is en fuego. He has hit .407 (according to SNY) since he has been inserted into the third spot in the lineup. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Later

Benjamin Grimm May 01 2016 02:10 PM Re: Worries here

Meanwhile, he has David Wright play all nine-innings of a game where the Mets got an early 12-run lead.

Chad Ochoseis May 01 2016 04:36 PM Re: Worries here

MFS62 wrote: Terry makes questionable decisions. During yesterday's post game interview, Terry said he'd be looking for" spots to give Conforto a rest". Memo to Terry: The kid is en fuego. He has hit .407 (according to SNY) since he has been inserted into the third spot in the lineup. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Later I have no problem with giving Conforto a seat once in a while, even if he's been mashing lately. Occasional rests are good things. An outfield of Cespedes-Lagares-Granderson doesn't exactly suck. Conforto has benefited from facing almost all righties; he's only 3-12 on the season against lefties. I didn't get leaving Wright and Plawecki in for the full 9 innings of that 13-1 game, either.

cooby classic May 01 2016 05:49 PM Re: Worries here

The sun will never come out again. Though that is not specifically a baseball worry

Frayed Knot May 01 2016 06:50 PM Re: Worries here

Plawecki was going to sit the next game anyway as a DGANG, and the same decision about Wright may have been made beforehand as well.

Ceetar May 02 2016 01:49 AM Re: Worries here

Frayed Knot wrote: Plawecki was going to sit the next game anyway as a DGANG, and the same decision about Wright may have been made beforehand as well. I'm not sure Plawecki needed to be sat there either, not like he's played anything like regular yet. Though I guess he's got a week or so in now right? With Wright I'm not sure what's best for him. It's not like it's an injury and there doesn't seem to be any risk of fatigue and wear and tear making the condition worse. I guess normal back injury/stiffness type stuff might make it so he's unable to get loose the next day, but it feels very binary to me. Either he's loose enough to play, or he's not. Might be good just for his peace of mind not to yank him after one inning when he put 2 hours worth of work in to get ready to play the game.

Mets Willets Point May 02 2016 02:22 AM Re: Worries here

I worry that if the Mets start their backup players and face Madison Bumgarner in every game going forward, that they won't do well.

d'Kong76 May 02 2016 02:45 AM Re: Worries here

I worry it's May, and the Braves come in and sweep the Mets. not really, but if it happens the whammy is all on me

d'Kong76 May 04 2016 10:46 PM Re: Worries here

If anyone cares what Boras says re: Harvey

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 05 2016 12:13 AM Re: Worries here

If anyone cares what Boras says re: Harvey Basically, nothing. I'm serious though: I think he probably drinks and uses coke too much. Wouldn't be the first MLB star to do that.

d'Kong76 May 05 2016 01:53 AM Re: Worries here

Pain killers and booze... the fast way to dehydration and still be able to grow three chins before thirty... *pure speculation and without intent to slander

Ashie62 May 05 2016 09:19 PM Re: Worries here

Is this a Prince thread?

soupcan May 05 2016 09:25 PM Re: Worries here

Not worried about Big Harv. At best he'll rebound in the next few starts. At worst it's a down year for him and he'll be back to his old self next year. Either way there's no physical damage and, unlike me, I don't believe he's stupid enough to throw away his potential hundreds of millions for booze, pills or coke.

Frayed Knot May 05 2016 10:03 PM Re: Worries here

soup can wrote: ... I don't believe he's stupid enough to throw away his potential hundreds of millions for booze, pills or coke. NOW it's a Prince thread!

Edgy MD May 06 2016 02:12 AM Re: Worries here

They're all stupid enough. We are all stupid enough. And if I learned nothing else in my years of playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, I've learned that intelligence ain't wisdom.

cooby classic May 06 2016 12:10 PM Re: Worries here

d'Kong76 wrote: Pain killers and booze... the fast way to dehydration and still be able to grow three chins before thirty... *pure speculation and without intent to slander The tiny print thingy still works?

Edgy MD May 06 2016 01:47 PM Re: Worries here

Contact hitting. Control hitting. It's a largely dead art and it's that much deader with Murphy gone. Our power all the way through the lineup is a nice thing, but I don't know how many times I can take going through the fifth with a no-hitter going against us. I don't know how many times I'm supposed to congratulate Granderson or Duda on well struck outs that got eaten up by the shift. I'd rather have the mid-70s Reds than the early sixties Yankees as it were. I mean, it's sure nice to be a good enough that that's something like a real choice, but with the power-ball era over, and the promulgation of shifts, somebody is going to be ahead of the curve on returning to Wee Willie Keeler's philosophy, hitting 'em where they ain't, using the whole field, bunting to keep the defense honest, and protecting with two strikes. I'd like that to be my team. Doesn't have to be everybody certainly. Let Cespedes swing a big meat hook every at-bat. But our best teams thrived on the virtues of contact hitters like Hernandez and Backman as much as on the big-ripping ways of Strawberry and Johnson. And even more true was the complement they provided to each other.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 06 2016 02:18 PM Re: Worries here

Edgy MD wrote: But with the power-ball era over, and the promulgation of shifts, somebody is going to be ahead of the curve on returning to Wee Willie Keeler's philosophy, hitting 'em where they ain't, using the whole field, bunting to keep the defense honest, and protecting with two strikes. I'd like that to be my team. We did get to watch that team for a few games at the end of last season/beginning of this. (Also, last weekend, wearing different unis.)

Frayed Knot May 06 2016 02:48 PM Re: Worries here

Do keep in mind, however, that the Mets' BA & OBA are, despite two low-hit games in the last week, not low but actually right around MLB average (BA a few clicks below, OBA a few above) and that the vaunted 'KC model' is currently DFL in the AL at putting runners across the plate and, across baseball, is out-scoring only the Phils & Braves.

Edgy MD May 06 2016 02:56 PM Re: Worries here

I'm not vaunting the KC model but rather a hybrid. One that places the batting average (and all metrics) above average, but also spreads the defenders around, puts pressure on the defense, and is capable of grinding out single runs when needed, in addition to scoring them in bunches. I would also like if they could rotate my tires and help me get my poetry career off the ground, but since we were on the subject, I thought I'd mention it.

Centerfield May 06 2016 02:58 PM Re: Worries here

I wish they were better at making adjustments, talking to each other. I don't know how many guys have to strike out on that Rick Reed Tailing Fastball (I know some guy on the Braves supposedly threw one too) before they start telling each other "Don't give up on that pitch inside". Conforto's gotta get that bat off his shoulder. Too many called strikes on the inside corner.

cooby classic May 06 2016 07:02 PM Re: Worries here

cooby wrote: The sun will never come out again. Though that is not specifically a baseball worry Still worrying

Mets Willets Point May 09 2016 03:50 PM Re: Worries here

A couple of days ago I meant to post that I was worried about how a west coast road trip could dampen the Mets' success, but I'm less worried about that now.

TransMonk May 09 2016 03:58 PM Re: Worries here

Honestly, the offense, bullpen and even the defense has been far less concerning to me than I thought they would be back in Spring Training. The starting pitching still has some hiccups to iron out (ironically, that was my smallest concern five weeks ago), but overall I like this team tight now...especially if Plawecki can provide some offense.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 09 2016 05:57 PM Re: Worries here

Syndergaard will break at some point. Nobody throws this hard this consistently and doesn't. Honestly, it's not so much worry, I don't think. More like dread of the inevitable. The only worry is about when, really.

Rockin' Doc May 10 2016 03:11 AM Re: Worries here

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Syndergaard will break at some point. Nobody throws this hard this consistently and doesn't. Ahem! How soon they forget.

Benjamin Grimm May 10 2016 10:16 AM Re: Worries here

Nolan Ryan is fortunate to have pitched before PED testing.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2016 11:06 AM Re: Worries here

yup.

TransMonk May 10 2016 12:30 PM Re: Worries here

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Syndergaard will break at some point. Nobody throws this hard this consistently and doesn't. True. This has been a worry for me since he was called up last season. He is the only young fireballer we have that hasn't had TJ surgery, IIRC. I'm also in the middle of the new Jeff Passan book on Tommy John and MLB pitchers' arms. I agree it is likely only a matter of time.

Ashie62 May 13 2016 03:57 AM Re: Worries here

Speaking of breaking, where is our little friend Travis d'arnaud?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 13 2016 06:46 AM Re: Worries here

So... these owies are starting to pile up a little, huh?

d'Kong76 May 16 2016 03:42 AM Re: Worries here

That road trip sucked; six of the next nine games against the Nationals... we could be half buried before Memorial Day.

Zvon May 16 2016 09:31 AM Re: Worries here

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Nolan Ryan is fortunate to have pitched before PED testing. .....don't even.

Benjamin Grimm May 16 2016 09:47 AM Re: Worries here

Zvon wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Nolan Ryan is fortunate to have pitched before PED testing. .....don't even. What? Isn't it the most obvious thing?

Centerfield May 19 2016 01:50 PM Re: Worries here

I worry that David Wright, one of my favorite Mets of all time, is shot.

Benjamin Grimm May 19 2016 02:14 PM Re: Worries here

Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. Hopefully he'll rebound and this worry will be forgotten, but right now one of the places where the Mets can most improve is third base. And that is problematic for a number of reasons.

Lefty Specialist May 19 2016 03:25 PM Re: Worries here

I have much sad about David. This isn't working.

Benjamin Grimm May 19 2016 03:28 PM Re: Worries here

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he retired before the end of his contract. In fact, I think I feel a poll coming on...

batmagadanleadoff May 19 2016 03:36 PM Re: Worries here

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he retired before the end of his contract... That's what I was starting to think this past week or two. Thoughts amplified after watching Wright these past few games and then reading this Washington Post article yesterday: David Wright’s back is a mess, and the Mets’ captain could be lost at sea By Barry Svrluga May 18 at 10:08 PM NEW YORK — The unimportant steps David Wright took Wednesday night, in the moments before first pitch, are suddenly paramount. He is a 33-year-old man with the back of someone twice his age, a back that is more difficult to manage than toddler triplets. So those idle jogs big leaguers take across the shallow outfield grass as the crowd files in and the lineups are announced? They’re not idle anymore. “This kid, he is extremely proud,” Mets Manager Terry Collins said. “He wants to play. He knows who he is and what he does for this organization, and he wants to be on that field, and he thinks that’s the way for him to lead. And I understand that. I totally get that. But I will tell you when you sit and talk to him, you’ll sense the frustration.” The frustration is here, in May, and it’s almost certainly a summer-long issue for Wright, for the Mets and therefore for the National League East race. Wright was back in the lineup Wednesday night for the second game of an interesting early-season series against the Washington Nationals. To be in the lineup — playing third base, hitting third — Wright had to perform not just the more-important-than-they-used-to-be pregame trots, but undergo a litany of stretches, his body a pretzel. “That’s no fun,” Wright said after he went 0 for 4 in a 7-1 Nationals’ win. This is what spinal stenosis has wrought on Wright, a seven-time all-star who has been the face of this franchise for more than a decade. Last year, the condition — a narrowing of the spinal column — snuck up on Wright after he suffered a strained hamstring, then caused angst all summer as he developed severe back pain. The Mets stayed in the race without their captain, but even as he returned in August and played well as the Mets won the National League pennant, there were no obvious answers about his future. He is owed $87 million from 2016 to 2020, five seasons in which the Mets hardly know what to expect — not just in total, and not just year-to-year, but night-to-night. “It’s tough coming to the ballpark every day and seeing if it’s going to be a good day or a not-so-good day,” Wright said. “That’s the challenging part — mentally and physically.” When Wright arrived at the ballpark for Tuesday’s series opener, he simply was in no physical condition to play. The Mets were coming off a day off. Yet Collins sat him down, and then sat him out. “My star player wanted to play, and he was hurting,” Collins said. “And the discussion was, ‘I know you want to play. I know the situation — big game, big series, the captain. I get it. But I have a responsibility to David Wright, the other 24 guys in the clubhouse and myself.’ And I said, ‘I just can’t let you play. We need you more than just one game.’ ” The Mets’ plan has been to play Wright no more than three games in a row. But even this approach to managing the problem has been fraught. As the Mets wrapped up a West Coast trip in Colorado, with Wright having gone 4 for 26 along the way, Collins sat him for the finale. But the manager needed a pinch hitter, so Wright began his stretching ritual, got as loose as he could, and took an at-bat in the ninth. With two outs and the tying run on first, he grounded out to end the game. Might that single at-bat have had an impact on Wright’s inability to play Tuesday? “I have no idea,” Collins said. But it clearly will impact the Mets going forward. There may well be days when Wright is completely off limits. In a race that could be taut — the Nats led the Mets by 1½ games — regularly playing down a man could be significant. Plus, Collins said that the current plan is little more than guesswork, and it may well have to change. Collins said he told Wright on Tuesday: “ ‘When we talked about managing this, we put this three-and-one thing together because we played you four days in a row and that didn’t work, so we went to three and one.’ And I said, ‘There’s no telling, we may go to two and one. Maybe we need to go three and two. We’ll manage it as it goes.’ ” This is, though, difficult with a player of Wright’s stature — not to mention the years and dollars remaining on his contract. Wright is friends with Nationals stalwart Ryan Zimmerman, the players joined in age and Virginia roots, in abilities and position on the field, in importance to their franchise. In 2014, when his surgically repaired right shoulder severely compromised his ability to make throws from third base, Zimmerman moved to left field, then last year to first base. Zimmerman said he tries not to talk to Wright about his back issues — “a different animal,” he said — but he knows something of managing crippling physical problems but holding the same standards. “You expect certain levels out of yourself,” Zimmerman said. “And part of that is it’s hard to not play every day at this level and be successful. . . . Especially if you’ve been an everyday player your whole career, and then [you’re] forced to take off a lot of days, or maybe just play 120, 125 games. That’s not an easy thing to do.” That is Wright’s current world. The Mets could try to move him to first base, where Lucas Duda is only under club control through next year, to lessen the additional toll that throwing can put on Wright’s back. But the back, it’s a different animal, and Wright’s condition makes his situation an entirely different species. In the eighth inning Wednesday night, Wright swung through a 92-mph fastball from Nationals reliever Shawn Kelley, his third strikeout of the night, his 47th in 139 plate appearances. So the questions come: Was his back bothering him? Does he need another day off? How’s he feeling today, and how will he feel tomorrow and in June and in September? “The back thing is just something that I’m going to have to get used to,” he said, “because it’s not changing.” The Mets, though, may have to change how they deal with it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/n ... story.html

d'Kong76 May 25 2016 07:45 PM Re: Worries here

Feel a lot better than I did after last night. Day off in thier own beds and big holiday weekend (with celebrating fans) against the Dodgers. Oh, and Let's go !

d'Kong76 Jun 15 2016 02:52 AM Re: Worries here

Mets lucky to not be six games back, Gnats almost won again.

Zvon Jun 15 2016 11:11 PM Re: Worries here

Oh joy, there is an entire thread for this! I really don't know what Wright is going through as far as pain but I hope it's not that bad and the last thing I want to see is him getting surgery at this point. He supposed to decide by the end of the week. If he has to throw in the towel now, even if for just this season, I will be devastated. Where's the "devastated here" thread?