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Memories of José Lobaton

Edgy MD Jan 02 2019 12:30 PM

I think we missed this at the old place, but José Lobaton, a relatively big participant (I'll avoid the word "contributor") with the 2018 Mets has apparently gone to sign with Seattle, and we let it pass unceremoniously. I remember the virtual simultaneous callup of him and Nido. At the time, I imagined that, well, there could have been a worse pairing in MLB, but this was gonna be a serious handicap. More than that, though, it spelled the team's doom. DOOM!!

41Forever Jan 02 2019 01:46 PM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

When he was signed, I thought, "Well, he's just a worst-case scenario." The worst-case scenario came more quickly than I thought. He's below the Mendoza line in five of his nine seasons. But, he was a warm body when we needed one!

Centerfield Jan 02 2019 01:57 PM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

He was terrible. And he represents, in many ways, the Mets failure to take necessary measures to actually field a contender. When d'Arnaud and Plawecki went down, it was important to get a viable catcher in as soon as possible. The black hole we had at catcher for nearly a month wasn't the reason the Mets season imploded, but it certainly was a factor. And when Mesoraco was finally brought in, well it became clear he wasn't the answer either. I don't know what it would have taken to get Wilson Ramos at the time, but speculation was that it wasn't much. And when he was eventually moved, it was for "a PTBNL or cash", suggesting it wasn't a great return. Goodbye Jose. You weren't very good and we're not sorry to see you go. But not nearly as sorry as we will be to see another version of you show up when we need actual players.

Centerfield Jan 02 2019 02:06 PM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

And also. His name reminded me of expensive shoes. https://media.glamour.com/photos/56958af85fff94d44eec8883/master/pass/fashion-blogs-slaves-to-fashion-2011-03-21-0321christian-louboutin-red-soles_fa.jpg>

G-Fafif Jan 03 2019 01:48 AM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

Nothing made a Mets fan appreciate the catching stylings of Travin d'Arwecki more than relying on Tose Nobaton. Thought he might be useful based on a vague sense that he beat up on Mets pitching as a National. Or was that Wilson Ramos who most everybody here thought was Jesus Flores? Biggest moment during his September recall was when, while glued to the bench in the visitors' dugout at Fenway, poked around for the rat that was scampering by. He had been back on the roster for a spell without getting into a game but suddenly was getting camera time. Wore No. 59. I've long considered that the most hopeless of baseball numbers. Tripled in his first Mets AB, matching the feat of spiritual batterymate Eric Cammack. Here's to the Lobaton Galaxy of Stars. May Jose do that thing he does somewhere within it.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jan 03 2019 05:30 AM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

Completely met my expectations of him when like most veteran emergency defense-first catchers, he got thrust into starting duty and iirc actually did okay for a very short period there before becoming exactly what his baseball card suggested he would, only worse, and earn his release. Then he shocked me by coming back to the Mets in September. What was that about.

Edgy MD Jan 03 2019 10:52 AM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

You sign a veteran backstop to be your starter in AAA, then the best you can reasonably hope for is that he's the 61st best catcher in baseball. If he's suddenly your starter, he's got to be on a very short leash. Maybe Alderson hoped that with the Mets' big early lead in the division, he could ride out a few weeks of him and Nido. I don't know. I agree he waited too long to act, but I thought Mesaraco was a pretty good get (by 2018 standards). It would've been nicer to get him a month earlier, certainly.

Centerfield Jan 03 2019 11:29 AM Re: Memories of José Lobaton

Mesoraco was 25th among catchers with 200+ PA's in 2018, so I guess by that definition, he was good enough to be a starter. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Ramos. If he's healthy, the guy can hit.