Category Archives: 2019 Mets

Yoenis Cespedes Thinks He’ll Play In 2019

15 Feb

Yoenis Cespedes
ESPN.com:

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes says he thinks he will be able to return this season following surgery on both heels last summer, but he doesn’t know when he will be ready to play.

“I do feel like I will return. … It may be three months, it may be two months, it may be one month, but at this point, I do think I can return,” the 33-year-old slugger said Friday, speaking to reporters for the first time since camp opened. “When I do return, I plan on being 100 percent, like I was in 2015.

Cespedes was traded to the Mets at midseason in 2015 and helped power their drive to the NL championship. He hit 35 homers that season, with 105 RBIs and a .291 average.

But since signing a four-year, $110 million contract following the 2016 season, the two-time All-Star has appeared in just 119 games. He missed half the 2017 season with hamstring problems and played just 28 games last season before undergoing multiple surgeries on his heels to eliminate calcification and bone spurs.

As a Mets fan I want Cespedes back asap. But truth be told, the way long-term contracts like Cespedes’ have gone awry are a major reason why Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain free agents.

Devin Mesoraco Returns to Mets with Minor-League Deal

9 Feb

Devin Mesoraco Jacob deGrom
Newsday.com:

The Mets are bringing back catcher Devin Mesoraco, who was acquired for Matt Harvey last May.

Mesoraco was signed to a minor-league contract and invited to major-league spring training, the club announced Thursday.

“Devin is greatly respected among our pitching staff and is extremely well prepared,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “We are hopeful he can contribute in 2019.”

Mesoraco, 30, played in 18 games for the Reds last season before coming to the Mets in the Harvey deal on May 8. He played 66 games for the Mets, hitting .222 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. Overall, he hit .221 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs.

Mesoraco was did his best work last year catching for Jabob deGrom.

Noah Syndergaard Says Mets ‘Definitely’ Team To Beat

5 Feb

Noah Syndergaard
NYPost.com:

After all the trade talk that involved his name, all the moves made by the Mets this offseason, Mets fans will love hearing this from Noah Syndergaard:

“I think where I am personally with my head space, I couldn’t be more pumped to be down here right now as an individual and team-based,’’ Syndergaard told The Post on Tuesday at Mets pre-camp, the first the big right-hander has attended. “The positive energy around us all is just going to propel us forward.’’

Syndergaard, who is sporting a new beard, is well aware new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said the Mets are the team to beat in the NL East.

Thor concurs.

“Most definitely,’’ he said. “Especially just being down here early. The serotonin release I just get from being around the other guys. It’s very uplifting. I can’t wait to get the ball rolling.’’

Key starters and the pitching rotation staying healthy, when and if Cespedes comes back and Bryce Harper and Manny Machado staying out of the NL East are IMO the keys to winning the division.

Tim Tebow Will Report To Major League Camp in February

17 Jan

Tim Tebow
ESPN.com:

Tim Tebow will be back at the New York Mets major league camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in February.

The Mets’ most famous minor leaguer returns for this third season with the team.

Last year, the Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback hit .273 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 Double-A games before a broken hand ended his season in July.

Because he is not on the 40-man roster, Tebow needed an invite to big league camp, which opens Feb. 16. He was with the Mets at big league camp last season as well and drew big crowds everywhere he went.

RELATED: Tim Tebow engaged to former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Jeff McNeil In The Outfield???

15 Jan

Jeff McNeil
SNY.TV:

The Mets acquisition of infielder Jed Lowrie on a two-year, $20 million deal that is still pending a physical crowds their infield, and has the potential to squeeze Jeff McNeil’s playing time.

As a solution, the Mets plan to use McNeil in the outfield in 2019, according to a person familiar with the plans.

At the beginning of the offseason, McNeil was pencilled in as the starting second baseman. He was nearly shipped to Seattle in the Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz trade, but the Mets pulled him out of that deal at the last minute, and replaced him with reliever Gerson Bautista.

At that point, the team saw McNeil as a super-utility type, Wilmer Flores with better defense. But Lowrie will now play that role. The team still sees great potential in McNeil’s bat, however, so it plans to use him both in the infield and outfield next year. With that additional option, Mickey Callaway should be able to find more playing time for McNeil.

McNeil played nine games in the outfield in his minor league career, for a total of 65 ½ innings. But the team believes that he has the speed and athleticism to adapt.

Gotta admit, when the Mets penciled in McNeil for the starting 2nd baseman spot in 2019, I was excited. The guy can flat-out hit, he’s gutsy and I thought that he’d make up for Daniel Murphy, who I never wanted to see leave. Then the Mets went after and got Robinson Cano, still have Todd Frazier at 3rd, Amed Rosario at SS, Peter Alonso most likely playing 1st and now Jed Lowrie is on the team as a ‘super-utility’ guy. Oh and let’s not forget TJ Rivera coming back. Would love to pick McNeil’s brain to see what he really thinks about all this, much less now getting ready to play in the outfield.