Monthly Archives: October 2018

Thank Goodness Dave Roberts Isn’t My Manager

28 Oct

Dave Roberts
I know. I know. The Dodgers, down 3-1, could still pull an upset, come back and win this World Series and all will be forgiven. But I don’t care. After his latest debacle last night, I’m putting it out there right now that I never want Dave Roberts managing my Mets. I mean, the guy is literally The King of Over-Managing. And no where was that better proven than last night.

You have a veteran pitcher on the mound, up 4-0 in the top of the 7th inning with one out having thrown only 91 pitches and you take him out?!? Put aside your shaky bullpen or the fact that your tired team just played an 18-inning marathon the previous night. And no one gives two shits that Rich Hill told you between innings to ‘Keep an eye on me’. Roberts has a long history of needing to put his stamp on a game, wanting to be seen and making unnecessary decisions that would drive a fan like me crazy (like taking starters too early). It’s the World Series for chrissakes and Hill had just struck out his last batter, Eduardo Núñez. Your bullpen is already taxed to high heavens from 9 pitchers being used the night before. At the very least, send your pitching coach out to see how Hill’s feeling. At the very worse, let the guy pitch, see if another runner gets on (which would’ve then brought the potential tying run on-deck) and then take him out.

Again, the Dodgers could still come back and win this Series. But if so, it’ll most likely be in spite of their bone-headed manager, not because of.

Doug Melvin Leads Search For New Mets GM

20 Oct

Doug Melvin
NYPost.com:

Here is the latest breakdown of where things stand headed to the second round:

The Favorites

Doug Melvin: The Brewers senior adviser served as the club’s GM from 2002-15 and was still leading Milwaukee’s front office when key moves occurred that helped form the foundation of the team that played Game 6 of the NLCS on Friday. Among those moves: acquiring reliever Josh Hader in a trade with the Astros. The Brewers reached the playoffs in 2008 and 2011 with Melvin as GM.

The 66-year-old Melvin was also Rangers’ GM in the 1990s, when the club reached the postseason three times. Melvin has a deep background in scouting and player development and is known throughout the game for his easygoing demeanor.

Melvin clearly has the experience, but the Brewers haven’t won a championship in like forever. And at 66yo, does Melvin have the ability to handle all the rigors of the job?

Could The Mets Reunite With Jeurys Familia?

19 Oct

Jeurys Familia
The bullpen, I think, is where the Mets will need the most help this off-season. And they definitely need a closer. So why not reunite with an old, reliable face? There will only be so many top-notch closers that will be available on the open market and I doubt that the new GM will want to kick in what Britton or Kimbrel might cost. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Familia could demand a price that’s too high. But he’s still young, did well with the A’s and has a proven track record with us.

Peter Alonso Is Tearing Up The Arizona Fall League Too

18 Oct

Peter Alonso
MetsMerizedOnline.com:

The Arizona Fall League kicked off this past week, and after an incredible 2018 season, New York Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso picked up right where he left off.

After finishing the minor league season tied for the league lead with 36 home runs, Alonso added one more long ball to his resume with a first week two run home run.

In total for the week, he hit .500/.556/.750, and along with the home run he added a double, six runs scored, four RBI, two walks, and two stolen bases.

Unless, God forbid, he gets injured, don’t be surprised to see Alonso’s name on the Mets 2019 Opening Day lineup.

Are The Wilpon’s Holding The Mets Back From Finding A New GM?

17 Oct

Fred and Jeff Wilpon
NorthJersey.com:

The Mets have already been turned down by Twins general manager Thad Levine, and former Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington also did not interview.

Sources have pointed to the poor reputation the Mets have around the league with candidates knowing they are not an easy team to work for, and just how much power the general manager actually will hold. The Wilpons are known for being involved.

There are also the limitations by ownership with regard to spending and the analytics staff despite insistence to the contrary.

“No young general manager wants to go to the Mets,” one source said.

The search will continue this week according to a source, and the current pool of candidates is primarily those who have been around the game a long time and are searching for their first job. Only one candidate can be considered a rising executive.

Hey, we haven’t won in 32 years with the only common denominator during that time being Fred and Jeff. So it’d be no surprise if finding a new GM would be difficult with those two in charge.