The Mets shut out the Rockies last night by a 4-0 score, while the Nationals got shut out themselves, dropping a 5-0 result to Zack Greinke and the Dodgers. Thanks to that pair of blankings, the Mets now hold a 2.5-game lead over Washington for first place in the NL East. Here’s the latest from Citi Field…
- Matt Harvey’s eight shutout innings fueled Tuesday’s victory, though now that the ace righty has 148 IP for the season, his innings limit is beginning to loom large. The Mets have frequently stated that Harvey will be capped at around 185-190 innings this season, his first since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2013. “I will tell you this: We are going to do everything in our power to keep from shutting this guy down — any of those guys down,” Mets manager Terry Collins said, told reporters, including MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. “He’s on pace to get to his [limit] fast….If we get into September to where we’ve got to have the game Matt Harvey pitches, he’s going to pitch it. But that’s why we’ve got to make sure he’s OK to do that.” The Mets will revisit a six-man rotation once Steven Matz returns from the DL in September.
- Michael Cuddyer has gone from key offseason acquisition to only a part-time player, Newsday’s David Lennon writes, as the Mets are committed to giving Michael Conforto regular at-bats. Cuddyer’s season-long struggles at the plate and his recent DL stint have opened the door for Conforto to take playing time, at least against right-handed pitching.
- The Mets optioned catcher Kevin Plawecki to Triple-A, calling up Anthony Recker in a corresponding move. Now that Travis d’Arnaud is fully healthy, Plawecki is going back to the minors to receive everyday playing time until the rosters expand on September 1. As ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin calculates, Plawecki should amass 147 days of Major League service time for 2015 (his rookie season). Assuming Plawecki is back on the roster in 2016 and beyond, he could receive an extra year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two player in two seasons’ time, given how two years and 147 days is beyond any of the last seven Super Two cutoffs.
- Jose Reyes tells Tim Rohan of the New York Times that he would like to eventually return to the Mets to wind up his career. “I’d love to — not now, because I have two more years on my deal. But I’d love to finish my career here in New York. I have some great memories here,” Reyes said. The Rockies shortstop makes his offseason home in Long Island.
Sure Mets, shut Harvey down. Shutting Strasburg down a few years ago didn’t hurt the Nationals in the playoffs at all…
Luckily, the shut down didn’t increase Strasburg injury chances and he was in pristine physical shape to lead the nationals to those back to back world titles the following seasons
Ross Detwiler took his spot and pitched very well, they won the game he started. Unless Strasburg was going to take Drew Storen’s spot as closer in game 5, I’m not sure how it turns out any different.
Hypothetical corrects all situations, right?
Saying the Nationals didn’t win a World Series because they shut down Strasburg, is a pretty big stretch. He wasn’t even pitching that well before he was shut down. It was a bizarre situation, but the narrative that Strasburg could have carried them to a World Series is laughable.
I completely agree….it reminds me a bit of how Tulo and Price are being touted
What’s probably going to happen is that they go to a six man rotation to limit innings. Dillon Gee can come up and make a start or two until Matz comes back (hopefully in two weeks).
Even with that, though, Harvey would be scheduled for 7-8 more starts. Even at five innings per start, he’s at the limit. If they make the playoffs, they’re definitely going to have a decision to make.
Didn’t the article state that they were going to a 6 man rotation when Matz comes back? Gee needs to never see the Mets rotation again.. With a 6 man rotation they could easily skip Harvey’s turn.. Plus, they could give him a couple extra days of rest.. 190 innings is coming up fast but the fact is the Mets are all in this year and if they have to stretch him to 200 I think they will.. They want the division that bad.. Losing him through the playoffs would be a blow but having Syndergaard, DeGrom and Matz is a very solid first 3.. Colon would make a nice 4th with Harvey waiting in the wings in case they came down to a must win game.. Shutting him down doesn’t compare to Strasburg a couple of years ago.. The Nationals had guys like Hernandez, Marquis and Lannan making starts for them. After Zimmermann and Strasburg they were pretty thin.. Taking Harvey out and having someone like Matz to take his place is a different beast entirely.. Taking Harvey out for Gee would be a bit more similar to what the Nationals did with Strasburg.. I know Deitweiler won the game and pitched well for them but he does not have the talent of Stephen Matz..
Mets could have just sent Plawecki across to the other clubhouse and kept Reyes so he could go back to sleeping in his own bed on Long Island…maybe not huh?
Ruben Tejada is outhitting Reyes and playing better defense while making a lot less money.
Not sure you picked up on my plea. Of course Reyes isn’t going anywhere for now
Some people don’t understand humor.. That is why they love baseball.. Math guys are generally dull and slow to pick up on humor and sarcasm.. Myself included..
Speaking of Greinke, it’ll be interesting to see his market. Though I understand he’ll most likely be priced out of Braves’ market, I could see ATL making a run at him – if he shows interest (he’s from Orlando). If he took deferred money from 2016, that would allow ATL to maintain not spending (much) until 2017 while giving us an ace and possibly using some young arms (maybe Teheran) to fill other needs (C, OF) – like they have been doing (Wood/Peraza for 3B Olivera). It’s a long shot, but Hart and Co want to make a splash in FA come 2017, and there’s not much available in that FA class (Stras, Cashner, Jered Weaver) – and we’ll have the money available.
If I’m listing the probable….I say he stays with a national league team so he can hit. Of those I see he and David Price kicking around a bit and one landing where the other doesn’t. If he does leave the NL I’m inclined to believe he goes maybe to the Angels. But I think you’re on about the money. I’m not sure Atlanta is in that bidding war. I’d say a Dodger resign or the Cubs is most likely.
I could see the Cubs spending the money on him. I know he wants to be able to hit so NL would be his ideal landing spot. I could see Miami doing something crazy and then try to dish him off by June lol.
I highly doubt Greinke goes back to the AL – Price more so than Greinke at least. I can see ATL being interested in both, but Braves have been linked to Greinke since his last free agency and both are in a better place (on the upswing). A former teammate/friend of Greinke’s was quoted as saying that he would love to be a Brave if given the chance – though winning is the ultimate goal. Would very much like to see him in ATL given how much he reminds me of the old dogs of ATL pitching: Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz.
I’m thinking Price in Chicago, Greinke stays in LA. Cueto to the Yankees. Leake stays in SF. Gallardo to Arizona. Samardzija chooses between the Red and White Sox
I like your speculation but I think Cashman gets Samardzija.. He has stated his preference for him in the past and will tout his low innings and health history as justification for giving him a big contract.. With all of the injury questions with Cueto (past shoulder problems and minor elbow issues this year) I don’t see Cashman adding him to the Yankees rotation.. They have so many injury questions already.. Boston will come out guns blazing for Greinke, Price, Cueto and perhaps even Samardzija.. I agree with you that Price will go to Chicago and Greinke will probably stay put in LA.. Boston will could sign Zimmermann or a second tier guy as well like Latos or perhaps make a deal with San Diego for Ross or to a lesser extent Shields.. Boston will hopefully come down to earth on their prospects value and bring in Ross.. The AL East is a shell of its former glory but this offseason we could see things return to the status quo with Boston and New York becoming powerhouses again.. Toronto will be the team to be next year as well with most of their lineup returning and Stroman coming back 100%.. They can’t be counted out against signing one of the aces as well.. With Buehrle and probably Dickey coming off the books they will have a bit of cash to spend..