2016 Mets Thread!

[GimmeShelter]

Alrighty then, so this is getting too weird at this point. Moving on:

 

I'm guessing Clippard. Which I'm fine with so long as it's not in a setup role in any sort of capacity.

Still don't understand what happened with him.  He was money and then just lost it to the point he could not be trusted.  

[RutgersJetFan]

Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets a win for Terry Collins -- and Wilpons

---

By Adam Rubin
 

When the New York Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes last year at the July 31 trade deadline, it appeared a textbook rental situation.

Mets officials indicated no real interest in retaining Cespedes beyond the 2015 season. More importantly, the Mets -- by rule -- were prohibited from re-signing the outfielder unless the extension was agreed upon during the season. That’s because Cespedes, who came from Cuba, was due to become a free agent two years before the typical major leaguer, via a clause in his original contract that required his team to release him. A released player cannot be re-signed by that club during the following offseason.

That all changed in September. Cespedes' agents at Roc Nation -- with the club’s consent -- got MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association to sign off on the rule being bent. The Mets now were allowed to remain a suitor for Cespedes during the offseason.

At the time, it seemed like a meaningless adjustment. Sure, the Mets would have the right to continue talking to Cespedes’ representatives. But he figured to go elsewhere anyway, having expressed to ESPN Deportes’ Marly Rivera a desire to get a six-year deal.

Now? Cespedes unexpectedly is returning to the Mets, and the Mets unexpectedly are big offseason winners after all.

Pending a physical, Cespedes gets a three-year, $75 million deal, with an opt-out after 2016. He will earn $27.5 million this season.

Opt-outs primarily are player-friendly. After all, those clauses are the player version of a team option. Still, the contract is mostly a win for the Mets as well.

Yes, if Cespedes were to become injured or severely underperform, the Mets would be on the hook for the entire three-year commitment. The odds are Cespedes will again test free agency next offseason, when the free-agent market does not include high-profile outfielders, and when National League teams conceivably may be looking for designated hitters. So the Mets figure to get the most out of Cespedes this upcoming season, since he will have the carrot of a massive payday if he performs.

How fortuitously did it work out for Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, who held his ground on only offering a three-year deal with the opt-out? Consider that two days before the acquisition of Cespedes in July, the Mets were poised to acquire Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. Gomez would have been under the Mets' control through 2016. Now, Cespedes likely will have a stay of the same length, without the Mets having to part with any significant pieces.

Even high-ranking Mets officials were not forecasting Cespedes’ return 10 days ago. Then, one labeled the odds of Cespedes returning “not likely,” although not zero.

While there were financial incentives for Cespedes to return, since his payday may end up much larger next winter, his decision also becomes another validation of Mets manager Terry Collins. You’ve now witnessed Flores crying at shortstop because he thought he was getting traded away, Wheeler calling Alderson to request to remain a Met, Bartolo Colon re-signing with the organization even though he may be bounced to the bullpen once Wheeler returns from Tommy John rehab, and Cespedes returning, too. New York has not always been a coveted free-agent destination, except for its big contracts (at least from the Yankees). Collins has helped change that mindset.

Even owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon come out as winners. Alderson once had vowed that the payroll would rise once the team had success and fans showed up at Citi Field in larger numbers. That seemed like a hollow promise until the Cespedes signing. Now, the Mets’ payroll should flirt with $140 million in 2016 -- its highest level since Omar Minaya’s tenure as general manager.

The lineup is so much more complete, too. Collins has not yet articulated his thoughts on a lineup with Cespedes and the other additions, but it is entirely possible it looks something like this:

Curtis Granderson, RF
Neil Walker, 2B
Cespedes, CF
Lucas Duda, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Michael Conforto, LF
Travis d'Arnaud, C
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

That’s not a juggernaut. But it should be more than adequate given the caliber of the Mets’ starting pitching. Cespedes’ return also makes the bench stronger, too.

Alejandro De Aza, signed before the Mets foresaw re-signing Cespedes, joins Juan Lagares in a reserve role instead of being his platoon mate in center field. And former starters Ruben Tejada and Flores are now backup infielders, along with promising young catcher Kevin Plawecki.

There should be other formidable teams in the National League this season, including the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants (it’s an even year) and even the Washington Nationals. Let’s not forget the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, either. But the Mets, punctuated by Cespedes’ return, have retooled themselves during the offseason into a credible threat to win their second straight pennant.

]

[Scott Dierking]

Still don't understand what happened with him.  He was money and then just lost it to the point he could not be trusted.  

When his slider is down, it is a very, very good pitch. When it stays up, it flies quickly.

His change up in general produces a lot of fly balls. But when a hitter can pick it out, it gets crushed.

[JohnJ]

Yoenis Cespedes' return to Mets a win for Terry Collins -- and Wilpons 
 

Curtis Granderson, RF
Neil Walker, 2B
Cespedes, CF
Lucas Duda, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Michael Conforto, LF
Travis d'Arnaud, C
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
 

Really psyched for the upcoming season. I think they're going to hit the ground running

 

I loved getting Walker and Asdrubel too. Sandy went right after strengthening up the middle. Of course there was the obligatory chorus of the clueless hating on it....but I digress

 

This guy has Walker batting 2nd, which I like. How soon before we can get Conforto and d'Arnaud into the middle of the lineup, and get Wright and Duda out of it? Say like Duda 6th and Wright 7th?

 

 

[RutgersJetFan]

Really psyched for the upcoming season. I think they're going to hit the ground running

 

I loved getting Walker and Asdrubel too. Sandy went right after strengthening up the middle. Of course there was the obligatory chorus of the clueless hating on it....but I digress

 

This guy has Walker batting 2nd, which I like. How soon before we can get Conforto and d'Arnaud into the middle of the lineup, and get Wright and Duda out of it? Say like Duda 6th and Wright 7th?

 

 

My guess is it will depend on who they're facing. Collins is such a day-to-day guy and switches it up. I personally do not think we'll see Walker batting second often because it's not Collins' style, as he seems to like a bigger bat in the 2-hole, which we saw when he batted Yo there a bunch last year. Have to see how that plays out first because there are so many factors; if Granderson can maintain his level of play from 2015, if Lagares can regain anything, if Duda can be more consistent at the plate, if d'Arnaud can avoid the freak injuries, and if Wright's back is good to go. He was also pretty adamant in the past about not moving Duda out of the cleanup spot, but with Conforto's power he's going to eventually have to start batting him somewhere 2-5. I personally think d'Arnaud is tailor-made to be batting 5th or 6th.

As for Wright, I don't know. It depends so much on his health and his bat, but as with Duda, Collins refused to bump him in the past. And even that aside, Wright is still the heart and soul of this team and he hit damn well in August and Sept, so he may very well surprise some people this year.

Don't forget Collins is still going to have to find games for Flores, Dilson, and even Tejada.

The nice thing about all of this is these are very good problems to have.

[JohnJ]

My guess is it will depend on who they're facing. Collins is such a day-to-day guy and switches it up. I personally do not think we'll see Walker batting second often because it's not Collins' style, as he seems to like a bigger bat in the 2-hole, which we saw when he batted Yo there a bunch last year. Have to see how that plays out first because there are so many factors; if Granderson can maintain his level of play from 2015, if Lagares can regain anything, if Duda can be more consistent at the plate, if d'Arnaud can avoid the freak injuries, and if Wright's back is good to go. He was also pretty adamant in the past about not moving Duda out of the cleanup spot, but with Conforto's power he's going to eventually have to start batting him somewhere 2-5. I personally think d'Arnaud is tailor-made to be batting 5th or 6th.

As for Wright, I don't know. It depends so much on his health and his bat, but as with Duda, Collins refused to bump him in the past. And even that aside, Wright is still the heart and soul of this team and he hit damn well in August and Sept, so he may very well surprise some people this year.

Don't forget Collins is still going to have to find games for Flores, Dilson, and even Tejada.

The nice thing about all of this is these are very good problems to have.

Yeah, I like the way Terry plays it. And you're right, it's a work in progress with so many options for Terry. It's gonna be great seeing how it all plays out.

 

He may wanna still ease in Conforto and d'A, and let them gain some momentum

 

Of course with the arms we've amassed, with reinforcements on the way, it's all good with the lineup. I'm just gonna enjoy watching Terry play with all the toys. 

[GimmeShelter]

I think Conforto sits against lefties until he proves otherwise and that he also gets removed late in games when we have the lead. Cespedes who is not a true CF slides over to LF in those situations.  I eventually feel Conforto makes it impossible to sit him against lefties (at least I hope so) but he likely will always be part of a late inning defensive double switch type of move.

 

Nice line-up compared to the first half of last season.  Duda gets a lot of questionable comments but honestly, how many other 1st Baseman had better power numbers last season? I think he ranks right around the top 12-15 in that department.

[Rangers9]

The problem with slumps is when entire teams get into them. If just one or two players others are there to pick them up and it isn't a disaster. But there seems to be a psychological dynamic about team batting slumps. Maybe because these guys are together so much during the season, travelling a lot, etc. It's contagious. I've never totally understood it. As for Duda to me this is a make or break year offensively for him. He had short stretchs of being incredbly hot and carrying the team. But his low points were too often and hurt the team. I hope he makes it because what's there not to like about this guy. And his defense has improved a lot. But for a 1st baseman you still have to hit (consistently). 

[RutgersJetFan]

Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN 1h1 hour ago

Terry Collins envisions David Wright batting second for Mets

[JohnJ]

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/collins-weighs-in-on-potential-lineup-for-2016/163067790

 

Mets manager Terry Collins weighed in on his potential lineup for 2016, reeling off the following to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post:

1.	Curtis Granderson	RF
2.	David Wright	3B
3.	Yoenis Cespedes	CF
4.	Lucas Duda	1B
5.	Neil Walker	2B
6.	Michael Conforto	LF
7.	Travis d'Arnaud	C
8.	Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
9.	Starting Pitcher	P

 

Collins noted that the Mets have "some real pros and some real versatility," and added that Wilmer Flores will be used in a super utility role.

Two of the players in the potential lineup above weren't with the Mets in 2015. Neil Walker was acquired from the Pirates in exchange for Jon Niese, and Asdrubal Cabrera signed on for two years as a free agent. 

[RutgersJetFan]

Super utility. Wow. I bet the rumors about him seeing a bunch of time at first and third are true.

Flores is still so young. It would be pretty cool if they turned him into a jack-of-all-threads guy for the infield. Even though he's a terrible shortstop.

[Powpow]

At first I didn't like this with Wright batting 2nd and Walker 5th.  But on further analysis, Wright has lost that HR swing and is a fine hitter to the right side.  Plus he has fair speed and walks enough and will probably hit for a higher average thus making him a better table setter for the 4 and 5 hitters.  He will also see better pitches to hit with Cespedes hitting in front of him. Walker is a double machine, switch hitter and although he may not have Wright's power, he has had a better HR swing over the last few years than Wright.  They are basically interchangeable in the 2 and 5 spot.

1.	Curtis Granderson	RF
2.	David Wright	3B
3.	Yoenis Cespedes	CF
4.	Lucas Duda	1B
5.	Neil Walker	2B
6.	Michael Conforto	LF
7.	Travis d'Arnaud	C
8.	Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
9.	Starting Pitcher	P

 

[Jetsfan80]

Interesting.  I would have thought d'Arnaud in the 5 and Walker in the 7.  I think I prefer Walker higher in the lineup for his solid contact hitting.  He could end up an RBI machine in that 5 slot. 

Obviously a lineup TC rattles off before pitchers & catchers report needs to be taken with a grain of salt.  But it's clear we'll have a lot of options, and there won't be too many days where we'll be completely unable to support the pitching staff. 

[JohnJ]

Nimmo's got a partially torn tendon in his foot. Dammit.

 

I was looking forward to seeing him. Hope it's not too bad 

[adb280z]

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/collins-weighs-in-on-potential-lineup-for-2016/163067790

 

Mets manager Terry Collins weighed in on his potential lineup for 2016, reeling off the following to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post:

1.	Curtis Granderson	RF
2.	David Wright	3B
3.	Yoenis Cespedes	CF
4.	Lucas Duda	1B
5.	Neil Walker	2B
6.	Michael Conforto	LF
7.	Travis d'Arnaud	C
8.	Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
9.	Starting Pitcher	P

 

Collins noted that the Mets have "some real pros and some real versatility," and added that Wilmer Flores will be used in a super utility role.

Two of the players in the potential lineup above weren't with the Mets in 2015. Neil Walker was acquired from the Pirates in exchange for Jon Niese, and Asdrubal Cabrera signed on for two years as a free agent. 

I like this much better

Granderson

Wright

Conforto

Cespedes

Duda

d'Arnaud

Walker

Cabrera

pitcher

[Jetsfan80]

MLB.com released its top 100 prospect list.  Here are where the Mets prospects rank:

Steven Matz - # 15

Dominic Smith, 1B - # 51

Amed Rosario, SS - # 79

Gavin Cecchini, SS - # 87

 

RHP Michael Fulmer, who went to Detroit in the Cespedes deal, checks in at # 53.

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016/?list=prospects

[RutgersJetFan]

 

I like this much better

Granderson

Wright

Conforto

Cespedes

Duda

d'Arnaud

Walker

Cabrera

pitcher

Did any site ever chart how many times Collins batted Yo in each spot and the numbers for him and the team? That would be interesting to see. I liked him at cleanup a lot too, but Collins did that sparingly if I recall correctly and batted him 2nd and 3rd most of the time.

[RutgersJetFan]

MLB.com released its top 100 prospect list.  Here are where the Mets prospects rank:

Steven Matz - # 15

Dominic Smith, 1B - # 51

Amed Rosario, SS - # 79

Gavin Cecchini, SS - # 87

 

RHP Michael Fulmer, who went to Detroit in the Cespedes deal, checks in at # 53.

Rosario cracking this already is pretty awesome considering he's ******* 20. Nimmo not on here ain't a good sign, but then again BA's list is really all that matters anyways.

 

[MetsJets1962]

Rosario cracking this already is pretty awesome considering he's ******* 20. Nimmo not on here ain't a good sign, but then again BA's list is really all that matters anyways.

 

Surprised Nimmo isn't on there

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MetsJets1962]

He seems to have been around forever though

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[faba]

Nimmo is hurt right now also

[Jetsfan80]

So beautiful.

 

[JohnJ]

So beautiful.

Yes. love it

 

 

[Rangers9]

One minor league player Sandy brought up last year who I liked was Daryl Ceciliani. Even though he only hit .206 (He hit .345 in the minors). While typical of many position players we've seen in the Mets org over the last few years (hits in the PCL but not in New York), the guy was a good all around player and I think has MLB potential as a spare outfielder. If he has around 200-300 Abs he could (maybe) contribute.  More than that and I think he'd sink around the Mendoza line. But they cut him when they signed Cespedes and he just signed with the Jays. No big loss but I think he can make their team. 

[RutgersJetFan]

On 2/3/2016 at 1:17 PM, Jetsfan80 said:

So beautiful.

He just oozes sex.

[JohnJ]

36 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

He just oozes sex.

The boner I get when I see him. Unbelievable.

 

I don't know if anyone caught it last year. He did three things that made me come last year.

After Bowa got all bitch ass on Murphy for posing; forget exactly when, but Cespy hit a bomb, admired it and then tossed the bat towards the Filly dugout....beautiful..... Suck it Bowa!

He did the same to the Nats, who were the biggest front runner showboats in history. Again, forget exactly when. But if I remember correctly it was in response to them.

And, after he got hit on the hand and went inside, a brawl almost started and he came running out of the clubhouse ready to go.

 

Yeah, I gotta man crush on him. Even Thor tweeted that, lmao

 

He brings swagger like nobody else. A classic Latino baller.......Like DelGado..... and style like Beltran.

 

[faba]

David PurdumESPN Staff Writer

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The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are a notch above the rest of the National League, while the American League is wide-open, according to season win-total expectations released Thursday by the sportsbook at the Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada.

The Giants are the only team to open with a win total of 90. They are followed closely by the Cubs at 89 and the New York Mets at 88.

"To me, the Giants, top-to-bottom, have the least amount of question marks," Atlantis sportsbook director Steve Mikkelson said. "The Cubs are a very good, but they have these youngsters. What if Kris Bryant goes into a slump? They have a lot swing-and-miss guess."

The St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers also have win totals of 87 or greater.

In the American League, the Kansas City Royals are tops. The defending World Series champs opened at 87 wins (-115 under).

"In the American League, to me, every team, except for the [Oakland] A's, think they can win it," Mikkelson said. "Unlike the National League, where there are eight teams really fighting for the five spots, in the American League, there are 14 teams fighting for the five slots."

The rebuilding Atlanta Braves have the lowest win-total expectations at 65. The Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies are the only others with win totals in the 60s.

The Atlantis Casino posted the totals Thursday afternoon. Limits are $500. It's the 10th straight year Mikkelson has been first in posting season win totals on the market. He said the hardest team to set this year was his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He went with 85.5.

"I always have those high Red Sox expectations," Mikkelson said. "I got burnt last year, thinking they were going to do it. They obviously finished last."

[RutgersJetFan]

58 minutes ago, faba said:

David PurdumESPN Staff Writer

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The San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are a notch above the rest of the National League, while the American League is wide-open, according to season win-total expectations released Thursday by the sportsbook at the Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada.

The Giants are the only team to open with a win total of 90. They are followed closely by the Cubs at 89 and the New York Mets at 88.

"To me, the Giants, top-to-bottom, have the least amount of question marks," Atlantis sportsbook director Steve Mikkelson said. "The Cubs are a very good, but they have these youngsters. What if Kris Bryant goes into a slump? They have a lot swing-and-miss guess."

The St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers also have win totals of 87 or greater.

In the American League, the Kansas City Royals are tops. The defending World Series champs opened at 87 wins (-115 under).

"In the American League, to me, every team, except for the [Oakland] A's, think they can win it," Mikkelson said. "Unlike the National League, where there are eight teams really fighting for the five spots, in the American League, there are 14 teams fighting for the five slots."

The rebuilding Atlanta Braves have the lowest win-total expectations at 65. The Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies are the only others with win totals in the 60s.

The Atlantis Casino posted the totals Thursday afternoon. Limits are $500. It's the 10th straight year Mikkelson has been first in posting season win totals on the market. He said the hardest team to set this year was his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He went with 85.5.

"I always have those high Red Sox expectations," Mikkelson said. "I got burnt last year, thinking they were going to do it. They obviously finished last."

Good. I like this. We did well staying below the radar last year and everyone focusing on everyone else. Let the Cubs and the Giants worry about being in the headlines.

[faba]

Yes I rather see other teams get all the accolades and the pressure that come with it.

[RutgersJetFan]

27 minutes ago, faba said:

Yes I rather see other teams get all the accolades and the pressure that come with it.

I think the hype for the Cubs is legit. They're better than us for a 162-game season on paper. A veteran presence is exactly what that team was missing and boy did they ever get it. But that was the deal with Washington last year too, and anything can happen in a baseball season. IMO they overpaid Lackey specifically for if they have to see us again in the playoffs. The back end of their rotation was the nail in the coffin for them against us.

Worth adding that I also think we're a better team for a 7-game series than anyone. We won't be the best team in the NL this year, but as long as we can get into the playoffs we'll be a problem again.

[Morrissey]

Jenrry Meijia, first player to receive a lifetime ban? He reportedly failed his 3rd test for PED's.

[faba]

Ok how dumb can you get

 

Mar 9, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia (58) throws against the Miami Marlins during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Barr)

Major League Baseball has permanently suspended Jenrry Mejia after his third PED test violation.

He tested positive for Boldenone.

The Mets released a statement that said "We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support MLB's policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension."

[Jetlife33]

There is a provision that will allow the 26-year-old righty to seek reinstatement, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com notes on Twitter. But even if successful, he’d have to wait one year to ask and serve a minimum two-year ban.

[adb280z]

It's hard to believe that someone can be so dumb.  Everyone knows ARod is a steroid guy and he never got caught, how do you get caught 3 times in one year?

[RutgersJetFan]

Come on, we all knew this was going to happen again. If we had gotten a month out of him that would have been a huge win.