Yoenis Cespedes Opts Out Of 2020 Season…Cites Coronavirus

2 Aug

Of course, the way he handled this, going M.I.A. on the team was bad. But I’m not sure that he’s telling the truth about Coronavirus being the reason for opting out. I think his poor start, but moreso his wanting to play the outfield are why he really quit on the team. Anyway, whatever happens next with Cespedes, I’m sure he’ll bounce back with an MVP-like season because we’re talking about the Mets here.

The Mets Should Let Mickey Callaway Finish The Season

25 Jun


I just don’t see any turnaround to this team. They’re 5 games under .500 as I write this and 9 games out of first place. The bullpen for the most part sucks. Why Robinson Cano is hitting No. 3 in the lineup while batting .230 is beyond reason. Cespedes gets into a freak accident and is done for the season. Dominic Smith is coming back down to earth. The starting pitching is maddeningly inconsistent. And if they’re going to be sellers soon, they might as well try to get the best trade possible for Zack Wheeler. That said, Sunday’s incident with Mickey Callaway and Jason Vargas just highlights, once again, the bleak attitude that this team has dealt with for 30-plus years. And since ownership and the new GM aren’t going anywhere soon, why not just let Mickey finish the season, fire him afterwards and hire Joe Girardi.

Brodie Van Wagenen: Noah Syndergaard Trade Would Take ‘Very Special Circumstances’

6 Dec

Noah Syndergaard
BleacherReport.com:

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen suggested Tuesday that he isn’t looking to trade starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Van Wagenen said it would take “very special circumstances for us to even consider” trading Syndergaard.

The 26-year-old Syndergaard is sent to enter his fifth MLB season with the Mets in 2019.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported last month that the Mets were “seriously considering” offers for Syndergaard, and he noted at least six teams were believed to be “real players” for his services.

After injuries limited Syndergaard to seven starts in 2017, a finger setback and a viral illness kept him to 25 starts in 2018. Even so, he put up impressive numbers, going 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, while striking out 155 batters over 154.1 innings.

Unless it’s for Clayton Kershaw and a couple of draft picks, there’s nothing out there worth getting rid of Syndergaard.

The Mets Interest In Robinson Cano Is Concerning

28 Nov

Robinson Cano

SNY.TV:

Earlier today, we reported that the Mets and Mariners were both “aggressive” in Robinson Cano trade talks. Since then, we’ve been able to gather more specifics about the structure of a potential deal.

Per major league sources, here are the basic parameters of what the teams are discussing: Cano would go to the Mets, and Seattle would pay approximately $10 million annually of the $120 million owed to Cano over the next five years. That would take Cano’s annual salary down to about $14 million.

The Mets are also trying to get Seattle to take on a burdensome contract like Jay Bruce‘s, and obtain a player like Edwin Diaz or Mitch Haniger.

If this all seems too good to be true for the Mets, it might be. It all depends on how desperate Seattle is to move Cano.

Cano just got an 80-game suspension for using PED’s last year, he’s 36yo and his lack of hustle has always been a concern regardless of how good of a hitter he is. Then too, we already have Jeff McNeil at second base and the Mets first two priorities this off-season should be relief pitching and catcher. I get that the new GM may be looking to make a big splash with his first move, but I don’t think this should be it.

Mickey Callaway Has ‘Support’ of Brodie Van Wagenen

1 Nov

Mickey Callaway
NYPost.com:

The Mets’ new general manager is intent on keeping the old manager.

Mickey Callaway will meet with new GM Brodie Van Wagenen this week, at which time he will be told he’s still the Mets’ field boss.

“I fully support him,” Van Wagenen said Tuesday at his introductory press conference at Citi Field. “One of the themes I have discussed so far today and will be a calling card of this new regime is a culture of positivity. [Callaway] has enthusiasm, he has energy and I want to embrace that to inspire players.”

Callaway arrived last October on a three-year contract and guided the Mets to a 77-85 record in his rookie season. On the final day of the regular season, the former Indians pitching coach received a vote of confidence from team COO Jeff Wilpon, who said he hoped the new GM would retain Callaway.

Hey, injuries cost us more than anything last season. And while Callaway does have some in-game management issues to work on (maybe a new bench coach could help?), he did well enough in 2018 to deserve another year.