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Options at Three-Bee

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2016 01:37 PM

So David is DL'd and it sounds like it won't be a short one (when they tell you going in that it's not going to be a short one, you know it's not going to be a short one). At least temporarily the 'solution' is Matt Reynolds, not to start of course but to be infielder #5/6 alongside Ty Kelly. The regular IF stands to be Loney - Walker - Cabrera - Flores on a pretty much regular basis. But neither of the corners in that set-up have hit this year (at least not in the majors) so what to do if either (or both) of Flores & Loney fail to get going? The obvious in-house option is the call-up of Dilson Herrera. The snag is that he's never played anywhere but 2B and one of the reasons the Mets cite for not calling him up now is how long it's been since Neil Walker played 3rd: 13 ML starts in total and none since 2010; he was a regular 3B in the minors (after moving from catcher) from 2007-09 From outside the org, Davidoff in the Post suggests: -- Kelly Johnson - hitting like shit with Atlanta [.210 w/1 HR in 105 AB] and numbers-wise wasn't all that great in NY last year [.250/.304 BA/OBA] except that he got a bunch of timely XBH that contributed to the run. -- Milwaukee's Aaron Hill (who we'll see next week) - 34; R/R; career .268/.323/.423 and right around there this year. In his walk year with a team that's likely to be dealing. -- Anaheim's Yunel Escobar - 33 y/o former Brave, Blue Jay, Ray & Nat, also in his walk-year and with a last place club. Had been mostly a SS but is playing 3B for the Angels this season as he had sporadically before that. Less power than you'd like in a corner but a decent offensive player otherwise: career .282/.351/.386, currently .306/.362/.415 -- Padre and one-time Yanqui Yangervis Solarte, a guy Gary had been touting a while back as a good fit for this team. A 28 y/o switch-hitter who's under club control thru 2019 which would tend to make him more expensive to trade for. Just 59 ABs this year so there must have been an injury involved (didn't play from mid-April to mid-May). Career .269/.334/.411; Yanqui fans were convinced they had the next great thing when he started his ML career hitting over .300 with 17 XBHs in his first two months in the majors (2014). By July the team decided to 'sell high' and had packaged him to SD (for Chase Headley) where he's been decent since: .274/.333/.420

Lefty Specialist Jun 03 2016 01:52 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

This depresses me. Escobar's a bit of a jerk if I recall. You don't want a long-term solution even if David's gone for the rest of this year, because what happens if he comes back ready to go next year....

Centerfield Jun 03 2016 01:57 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Frayed Knot wrote: At least temporarily the 'solution' is Matt Reynolds, not to start of course but to be infielder #5/6 alongside Ty Kelly. Everything about this situation is infuriating. First off, the Mets have known all week that Wright was hurt, that he had a herniated disk, and chose not to DL him. Instead, they went with a cortisone shot. Did they think the cortisone would magically move the disk back in place? How they could even entertain the idea that the guy with spinal stenosis could play through this is beyond me. (And even if he could do it, how insane it would be in the long term to ask him to do so.) So not surprisingly, David ends up on the DL. Meanwhile, the Mets have played a man down all week. And during that time, they dropped 2 straight series, falling 3 games behind Washington and losing a bunch of close games in the process. A bunch of games where a key hit here or there could have turned our fortunes. I get that we have no idea what we would have gotten out of Dilson this week had he been called up, but do you know who he absolutely, positively would have been better than? David Wright. So fucking stupid. And now you call up Reynolds? What the fuck Sandy. Why? Was Eric Campbell not available? I know. Let's call John Mayberry and teach him to play third base. Let's do everything except call up our best hitting prospect who has already proven himself at AAA. It's not like we're trying to win games or anything.

cooby Jun 03 2016 01:58 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 03 2016 01:59 PM

Why not a homegrown product? Never mind. CF put it much better than I ever could!

d'Kong76 Jun 03 2016 01:59 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

None of Davidoff's 'solutions' put a particular spring in my step nor make me want to dance a jig. What's Edgardo Alfon(z)o up to these days?

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2016 01:59 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Lefty Specialist wrote: This depresses me. Escobar's a bit of a jerk if I recall. You don't want a long-term solution even if David's gone for the rest of this year, because what happens if he comes back ready to go next year.... Well, as mentioned, everyone there except for Solarte is in a walk-year so would be, at most, a 2/3 of a season commitment. Solarte would cost more to get because he's younger and under control, but his youth and switch-hitter-ness might also make him good to hang onto as a 5th infielder type down the road if/when David does come back (he's also played 2B, SS, and corner OF), a better version of Campbell/Kelly if you will.

Edgy MD Jun 03 2016 02:01 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

If last year is anything of an indicator, it's that the team would rather work internally, while working for the right deal, than get squeezed up front.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 03 2016 02:11 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

A little pop (doubles/double-digit HR power, with 6 longbows already this annum) with a decent walk rate (pushing 10% in recent years), positional versatility with decent glove, righty with little platoon weakness, expiring contract, and team that gains little-to-nothing by keeping him... Hill seems to check all the boxes, doesn't he?

Centerfield Jun 03 2016 02:19 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Edgy MD wrote: If last year is anything of an indicator, it's that the team would rather work internally, while working for the right deal, than get squeezed up front. Yup. And I think this is the right play unless one of those teams comes along and says take my 3B, please. But during this time, instead of calling up the best candidate, the team will go with Flores everyday at 3B and Loney every day at 1B. Ty Kelly and Matt Reynolds will be our bench guys. So when the game is on the line in the late innings, Kelly and Reynolds will be our pinch-hitters. Wonderful. And of course it has to be this way because of two iron-clad principles that must not be violated at any cost: 1. Star players do not switch positions. 2. You only call up your best prospect if he is going to play every day. And if you lose a pennant or two along the way, so be it. You just can't break these rules.

TransMonk Jun 03 2016 02:40 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

It would help if we had a better gauge of when d'Arnaud and/or Duda will be returning. While options are limited outside the org at 3B, the offense could still be upgraded further at the 1B and C positions depending on need. This might mask the overall effect of internal options at 3B. I would still love to land a guy like Lucroy who can play both C and 1B, but he is going to cost players (most likely major league pitching). Sandy is going to have a lot to weigh in the coming weeks and we will see how desperate the team becomes with the knowledge that Cespedes (and prolly Walker) are likely gone at the end of 2016. I fear this year's road trip that ends in Milwaukee is going to mirror the road trip last year that ended in Milwaukee (11 runs scored in 8 games with only 1 victory).

bmfc1 Jun 03 2016 03:00 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Centerfield is nailing the situation. It was obvious on Monday that he was going on the DL but this management looks both ways 3 or 4 times even with a red light before doing anything. The problem with a June trade is that most teams (not ATL) think that they are still capable of getting into the playoff mix and don't want to signal to their fans that they are out of contention. Perhaps SD will deal after their owner's rant the other day. As for Kelly Johnson, ATL is dealing now and I'd rather have Johnson as my Kelly than Ty which seems like a do-able trade.

seawolf17 Jun 03 2016 03:59 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Centerfield wrote: I get that we have no idea what we would have gotten out of Dilson this week had he been called up, but do you know who he absolutely, positively would have been better than? David Wright. So fucking stupid. And now you call up Reynolds? What the fuck Sandy. Why? Was Eric Campbell not available? I know. Let's call John Mayberry and teach him to play third base. Let's do everything except call up our best hitting prospect who has already proven himself at AAA. It's not like we're trying to win games or anything. I agree, BUT. Dilson doesn't fill a hole. Neil Walker is one of only two guys who hits on this team. You want to mess him up learning a new position now? It's not like we're trying to win games or anything.

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2016 04:04 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

bmfc1 wrote: Perhaps SD will deal after their owner's rant the other day. After a four-game series with Seattle in which the Pads gave up 9, 16, 6, and 16 runs runs (including blowing a 12-2 6th inning lead on Thursday) one would assume that SD is looking for pitching, pitching, and maybe a little pitching thrown in.

Edgy MD Jun 03 2016 04:08 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Is Seattle now a hitting team, or are the Pads that bad? Because it seemed like just yesterday that 47 runs was Seattle's typical monthly output.

Frayed Knot Jun 03 2016 04:16 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Both. The current stats are of course somewhat skewed by this just ended series, but, yeah, the Mariners are hitting these days. M's are second behind only Boston in RS/G -- miles behind Boston who are scoring a ridonculous 6 per game, but also significantly above everyone else at 5.25

Centerfield Jun 03 2016 05:02 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Reports are now at 6-8 before resuming baseball activities. Which means probably closer to 10 weeks. Sucks. Anyway, it's fine. They'll get it done. This team will find enough offense to stay in the hunt. David and Duda come back for the stretch drive and we have another August/September like 2015. David hits 11 HR's down the stretch. Mets win the World Series. David wins MVP. Rides off into the sunset.

d'Kong76 Jun 03 2016 05:23 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Centerfield wrote: Anyway, it's fine. They'll get it done. This team will find enough offense to stay in the hunt. David and Duda come back for the stretch drive and we have another August/September like 2015. David hits 11 HR's down the stretch. Mets win the World Series. David wins MVP. Rides off into the sunset. Can I get a swig of that, please!

RealityChuck Jun 03 2016 05:38 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Frayed Knot wrote: -- Milwaukee's Aaron Hill (who we'll see next week) - 34; R/R; career .268/.323/.423 and right around there this year. In his walk year with a team that's likely to be dealing. So that's what happened to him after he left the comic strip.

Ashie62 Jun 03 2016 05:54 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

The external names listed by Davidoff do nothing for me. I would give Wilmer the opportunity of a lifetime to become entrenched at 3B Bringing up Dilson and moving Walker is tempting but to risky for my tastes. If things as they are don't work out Sandy has time to do some magic.

Lefty Specialist Jun 03 2016 05:56 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

I think you have to go with Wilmer for now; it's his opportunity to prove once and for all he belongs. If he doesn't cut it, all the tears in the world won't save him.

Ceetar Jun 03 2016 06:26 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Lefty Specialist wrote: I think you have to go with Wilmer for now; it's his opportunity to prove once and for all he belongs. If he doesn't cut it, all the tears in the world won't save him. He's gotten more chances than most and hasn't proved that, so you certainly gotta be looking for the solution even if Flores can be not-terrible there.

Zvon Jun 03 2016 06:35 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

I also put Dilson in with Reynolds when I say:how & why are these guys not considered good enough in an emergency situation like this? And if forced to pick one I'd more than likely pick Herrera, cause he's shown us so stuff.

Edgy MD Jun 03 2016 06:50 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Dilson may be the answer. He may be an excellent player long-term. But his wet-noodle hitting was as much a part of the mid-season slog last year as anything. I'm all for his return, but I don't think these things are as much of a no-brainer as that. You need a guy for a handful of days, you don't know how much he's going to play, then I have no problem with them going for a guy who plays all over the field and is hitting near .400, over a guy who is hitting .280, has only played one position that is currently staffed ably, and disappointed in a long audition last summer. As of now, it hasn't worked, and a bigger, long-term decision lays in front, but I'm not sure the last decision, though it didn't work, was decidedly wrong at the time, with all the evidence on the table that was available at the time. Hindsight and all. I'm all for position switching, however, and I think that Terry's shyness and deference on the subject is counter-productive. It may even be called a weakness. With luck, maybe Wright will take a few minutes off from whatever crap he is dealing with, call Walker, and suggest he volunteer to switch.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2016 02:43 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Who here is brave enough to advocate trading Walker to get the corner man we need?

Edgy MD Jun 04 2016 03:32 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

It's not going to happen anytime soon, as Duda will be back. And at this point, they expect Wright will be also. So spending that chip on a temp of a few months, at least at this point, would seem to go against Sandy's ride-the-storm-out sensibilities. I really think the summer-month solution is for Wright to tell Walkie to tell Terry to move him over. Moving Roger McDowell to the bullpen and calling up Sid Fernandez in 1985? Davey Johnson did that after a suggestion from Keith Hernandez. Sometimes, the manager has to follow the captain.

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2016 03:59 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Heard the names Jed Lowrie and Eduardo Nunez floated. Lowrie - 32, S/R; singed thru 2017. Was mostly a SS but has also played 2B, and now is manning 3B in Oakland. .260/.329/.407 lifetime though .311/.350/.358 this season Nunez - 29 next week. SS, 3B, 2B and OF. Currently Twins but also has yanqui stink on him (2010-13). One year deal, Arb next season, FA after that. .275/.313/.403 career but also hitting over his head this year at .328/.353/.500

Ashie62 Jun 04 2016 05:10 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

For what David was able to do when the neck went out Wilmer could become an upgrade til David 3.0 tries again.

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2016 10:10 PM Re: Options at Three-Bee

Frayed Knot wrote: bmfc1 wrote: Perhaps SD will deal after their owner's rant the other day. After a four-game series with Seattle in which the Pads gave up 9, 16, 6, and 16 runs runs (including blowing a 12-2 6th inning lead on Thursday) one would assume that SD is looking for pitching, pitching, and maybe a little pitching thrown in. And today SD dealt away James Shields (to the ChiSox for three minors leaguers) just a season and 1/3 after signing him to a big-buxx, four-year + option deal. So, yeah, looks like they're open to dealing.