The Mets have signed each of Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha to multi-year contracts this offseason. They’re also set to welcome Robinson Canó back from a performance-enhancing drug suspension that cost him his entire 2021 campaign. The influx of players who weren’t available to the Mets last year reshuffled the offensive group and led to plenty of speculation about the future of some in-house options.
Specifically, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis have been oft-mentioned trade candidates. It’s still theoretically possible any of that trio finds themselves on the move, but first-year manager Buck Showalter told reporters this afternoon that he envisioned McNeil as the club’s primary second baseman this season.
Regarding whether he planned to divide second base duties between McNeil and Canó, Showalter said he viewed it as the former’s job. “I don’t think it will be split. Mac will get the majority [of playing time] there,” he said (via Tim Healey of Newsday). Asked about Canó’s role, Showalter replied “I think Robbie knows he’s not going to play second base for us as much as he wants to. But we hope he’s not a pure DH either. There’s the potential for him to play some first base if needed. I wouldn’t put him in the outfield.”
Obviously, the presence of Canó and Escobar would give the Mets options at second base were they to entertain trading McNeil over the coming weeks. Yet Showalter’s comments suggest it’s likelier he’ll remain in Queens and pick up the bulk of the playing time at the keystone. Projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for just a $2.8MM salary this season and controllable through 2024 via arbitration, the 29-year-old McNeil could remain in Flushing for a while if the Mets elect to keep him around.
McNeil didn’t debut in the majors until his age-26 season, but he hit the ground running. His excellent bat-to-ball skills translated to the game’s highest level, and he posted a .319/.383/.501 mark in a bit more than 1000 plate appearances over his first three MLB seasons. Yet while McNeil continued to make plenty of contact last season, his results on batted balls went backwards. The lefty hitter has never been a huge power threat, but last year’s .109 ISO (slugging minus batting average) was easily a career worst. His batting average on balls in play — which had been north of .330 in each of his first three seasons — fell to .280. As a result, McNeil posted below-average offensive numbers (.251/.319/.360 with seven homers in 426 plate appearances) for the first time in his career.
Trading McNeil this winter might’ve been a sell-low move. It’d certainly behoove the win-now Mets if they held onto him and he regained his 2018-20 form. Escobar, who’s coming off a .253/.314/.472 showing between the Diamondbacks and Brewers, seems like he’ll primarily factor in at third base. That’d leave Canó bouncing between second base, first base and designated hitter, although he’s unlikely to be the top option at any of those positions.
Pete Alonso will obviously hold down first. If McNeil takes second with Escobar at third most days, that’d push both Davis and Smith into the corner outfield/DH mix. With a presumptive primary outfield of Canha, Marte and Brandon Nimmo, each of Davis, Smith and Canó could find themselves jostling for playing time if they’re all on the roster.
Davis and Smith would figure to have a decent amount of trade appeal, but it’s hard to envision New York finding a taker for Canó. He’s still due $48MM through 2023 ($24MM in each season). Releasing him wouldn’t save the Mets any money, though, so there’s little reason not to gauge the 39-year-old’s form if he’s willing to take on a bat-first role off the bench. It’s difficult to know whether he has anything left in the tank at his age and coming off a 162-game PED ban, but Canó didn’t show any signs of slowing down when last permitted to take the field. The eight-time All-Star hit .316/.352/.544 in 182 trips to the plate during the shortened 2020 season.
Holy Cow!
This is the correct choice.
Sunday Lasagna
must be nice to have a prepared, decisive and most probably correct manager, wish there were more of them in MLB
Gothamcityriddler
We’ve seen this movie, it doesn’t end well….for anyone. Ahahaha!
MarlinsFanBase
Let Mets fans continue the tradition of wash…rinse…repeat…just like their team.
Cosmo2
What is your criticism here exactly? McNeil has been a very good hitter outside of last year.
You Can Put It In The Books
@JacquelineYan
Your comment on this thread is about as relevant as whatever @MarlinsFanBase was trying to get across above.
MarlinsFanBase
@Cosmo2
I don’t know if the question was to me or the other posters, but I will give my thoughts of McNeil.
I agree that he’s a good hitter. In fact, I feel that he’s your team’s best hitter. He’s the one that I feared the most when he would come up against the Marlins. This year it will be Marte. I think we both agree that McNeil’s not a good fielder. He’s what the DH role was created for.
As for my comment, my statement is about the routine of every single year we hear the same thing about the Mets…pretty much as follows: They have fixed their team. They are a championship caliber team. How can you not see them as a World Series contender this year? This manager will fix everything. This front office has us headed in the right direction. This trade or this signing solves all of our ills. Etc. etc. etc. Same song. And what happens during the season? Same failures and pretty much the same echoed excuses. – injuries, this person’s fault, “not living up to potential”, etc.
To me, and my comment, until the Mets match the hype they get every year going into the season, it’s wash…rinse…repeat. That’s what my comment is in reference to. It wasn’t about McNeil.
With this being said though, with 6 playoffs teams in the NL this year, if the Mets don’t make the playoffs, it’s a major failure. Even my Marlins have a shot this year, even if we don’t make another move this offseason.
Cosmo2
Gotchya. I somewhat agree, now that we agree that McNeil is not the problem. I don’t think it’s “rinse repeat” right now, though. Cohen is spending in an unprecedented manner. Spending smart? Remains to be seen but I am sceptical.
You Can Put It In The Books
@MarlinsFanBase, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
MarlinsFanBase
I agree that the performance isn’t rinse repeat yet because the season hasn’t started. But the hype is. It’s the same hype every single year. We’ll see if the Mets match the hype this year. If they don’t. it’s rinse and repeat there too.
With that said, they should make the playoffs with that roster and 6 playoff spots. If they don’t, it’s a bigger failure than the other years due to more playoff spots and the amount of money spent on this roster…even though there are flaws and weaknesses there as a team.
rct
Speaking of “wash… rinse…repeat”, how’s the Marlins rebuilding going? On year 18 is it? But they’re going to show some strides this year with a lot of young talent, right? And then they’ll trade it all away and start over again? Do I have this right?
MLB Top 100 Commenter
I think if deGrom and Scherzer have have great seasons and stay healthy the Mets are a shoe-in to win 90 games and winning the Division is not out of the question. Both for both Scherzer and deGrom to be healthy for the whole season is a huge “if”. So the critics who say that this is just another Mets team are wrong and the optimists who think the Mets have bought a championship well it is more like putting your money on “red” at the roulette wheel, it may go fabulous or may flame in a matter of moments. McNeil seems worth keeping and worth playing. Davis (trade) or Cano (cut) remain options to go, and Smith can be a 5th outfielder and backup 1b in case Pete has another car crash.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
While MarlinsFanBase is borderline trolling, the Fish have built some great young pitching talent. The question is will they be like the A’s and not add the pieces to compete at the highest level (probably). But I have the Marlins in 3rd right now (Braves, Mets, Marlins, Phillies, and Nats). Sure if Phillies sign Correa and Castellanos they’ll move ahead of the fish, but it has not happened yet.
Sunday Lasagna
@Manny, Robbie Cano is not getting cut. Nothing wrong with having a LH bat on the bench who can cover 2B if Mc needs to be used at 3B or in the OF to cover injuries. Depth is good. So he did something stupid. Who hasn’t? So he gets paid too much (not his fault), So Brodie might have made a bad trade that he came in (jury still out on Kelenic), If the man is one of the 26 best the Mets have, let the man play.
padam
Your mention of McNeil and Marte in your assessment of dangerous/feared hitters on the Mets…one who is a contact hitter vs another who is a free swinger is questionable. As for McNeil’s defense, he’s not bad.
raisinsss
I think McNeil was the Mets best defender at 4-5 positions one year. Was he really “the one the DH was created for?”
braves fan 138
At least they have won World Series this century, the Marlins have won 2 WS titles in the past 25 years and Mets haven’t had one since 86 so I raise you how is year 36 going for you Mets fans. They don’t call them the “Meltdown Mets” for no reason, look at last year. They wrote the book on the art of choking.
iverbure
Marlins fan base excellent posts, and I agree. I’ve been tracking Vegas odds on o/u wins for a couple years and always pick the under on the Mets simply because the public goes crazy for Mets moves. Perhaps this year I’ll take my winnings from years past and double down on the under and retire at 33 and maybe buy the pirates.
MarlinsFanBase
So many comments. My thoughts:
@rct The Marlins deserve your statements. However, I will point out that it could be worse. They could be one of those teams rebuilding for 35+ years trying to win a championship again. It must suck for the fans of those teams that haven’t won a championship in over 35 years. It must suck to be the team with the longest championship drought in the division; one of the four longest championship droughts in the NL; and one of the longest nine droughts in all of MLB. Again, it could be worse.
@MannyBeindMVP First, I agree with your standings assessment. I actually see the division the same as you do as of today, which can change once more transactions occur within our division. But I agree, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Phillies, then Nationals. I disagree with the assessment that the Mets (or any NL East team) are a shoe in for 90 wins. It’s a tough division. 76 divisional games against each other will lower win totals like it did last year. There is no true doormat in our division like there are in the other divisions in MLB. If you look at the teams in our division, all 5 of them could contend in at least a couple of other divisions. And your mention that critics are wrong about this Mets team being like every other team? That’s what has been said in most other years as well. Like I said, we’ll see if they finally match the hype. They haven’t yet for a long time. And if Father Time pays their roster a visit this year, they could easily finish in last place this year when you look at who all the players on the wrong side of 30 are (deGrom, Scherzer, Marte, Canha, Escobar, etc.). A lot of non-difference makers after the over 30 players.
@padam McNeil when right can hit. He’s your team’s best hitter. Marte is a talent. Those are the Mets hitters I fear. Alonso can bash, but he has shown that he can be struck out in key moments. Escobar and Canha are nice, but aren’t as good with the bats and game impacting skills as McNeil or Marte. Lindor is super talented, but still has to prove that he can be an impacting hitter in the NL East where he now faces pitching staffs that can actually pitch, unlike the weak staffs he faced during his time in Cleveland. In fact, our reliever Anthony Bass won the Mets more games than Lindor did last year. Let’s see what a clean Cano hits like at his age. McCann is not striking fear in anyone. Neither in Nimmo – especially since Nimmo’s only tool is coming to the plate hoping for a walk, and in the moments when he gets them, he’s not a threat on the basepaths and does a poor job at baserunning decisions and has very little manufacturing runs skills. I stand by my view as a fan of an opposing team. I fear McNeils and Marte’s bats. The others may have their moments, but not consistently to strike fear.
@raisnsss As for McNeil’s defense, anyone that knows baseball fundamentals, technique, tools, etc. can see every flaw in McNeil’s defensive game. Additionally, considering how poor the Mets defense has been over McNeil’s time there, being their best fielder is nothing to brag about. It’s like a NBA player bragging he scores 18 points per game on a team that loses 70 games.
In closing, I don’t think Mets fans want to be continuing the tradition of bashing anyone that points out that every year the team’s performance doesn’t match the hype. By doing that, you’re causing self-inflicted wounds. And this year would be the worse. Considering that the Mets have spent significantly more than any other team, and that there will be 6 playoff spots in each league, if the Mets don’t make the playoffs this year, it’s going to be rough on you Mets fans that squawk before the season about how great they are and how wrong everyone else is about them. And that pain can even get worse beyond just not making the playoffs, but also if teams like the Marlins or Rockies make it instead of the Mets. My thoughts are what I’ve always said Mets fans should do. Just stay quiet until your team actually wins something. You guys bring all the “LOL Mets” and other painful stuff upon yourselves with this same old routine of hyping up your team and declaring their greatness in the offseason.
And so I won’t leave with a completely negative statement about the Mets. I congratulate the Mets on winning the offseason.
Al Hirschen
Nice that they use a photo of a ball getting bye him
You Can Put It In The Books
The Mets have a ton of versatility going into the spring. It’ll be interesting how it all shakes out and who starts where most days.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
MAN I watched Robinson Cano play 2nd for many years in Seattle and he was just so effortless and smooth at that position. It’s hard to believe his skills have degraded so much defensively…or are people just assuming they have? I can’t believe McNeil would be better defensively…but haven’t watched Robbie in the field since he became a Met.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Robbie Alomar was the best I’ve seen play 2B. The drastic drop-off once he hit 34 on the Mets were hard to believe.
Dustyslambchops23
Age comes for us all
The Natural
Or at least it beats the alternative.
Rsox
To be fair, Alomar was already in his 15th ML season by the time he got to the Mets
GarryHarris
Tito Fuentes was good one season; done the next.
marcfrombrooklyn
He looked effortless and smooth most of the time in 2020. He just had no range and looked a little uncomfortable in some of the shifts..
Canosucks
Does anyone know, thanks ahead of time, if in the new CBA have they agreed to new drug testing for PED abusers like Cano or will he get a free ride?
Dream of the past; Cano is now 40 and hopefully off the juice how can anyone expect him to play second; maybe in an old timers game if he isn’t banned from baseball by then.
Thanks to BVW Mets are stuck with this 48 million dollar load for 2 more years. 🙁
Cano couldn’t get our of his own way fielding for the Mets!
You Can Put It In The Books
Mets fans only hope he gets busted again so they can void the $40M remaining on his contract lol.
You Can Put It In The Books
…Seattle is still on the hook for $5M per year as well if I’m not mistaken.
johnnymac09
4
You Can Put It In The Books
Yes, you’re right. $4M each of the next two years. Thank you, sir.
Baseball Purist
Maybe they will spike his vitamin b12 injections.
Traffickers
Can’t they Bobby Bonilla this guy
You Can Put It In The Books
No need, Cohen has F-you money and will have no qualms with paying Cano to sit at home.
Cosmo2
They can do that to any player that agrees. Problem is, such an arrangement is more advantageous to the team than the player so…
Cat Mando
Canosucks………PED testing falls under the JDA (Joint Drug Agreement) which is traditionally reviewed and revamped each year (Within thirty days of the conclusion of the World Series) by MLB, the MLBPA, IPA (Independent Program Administrator), the Medical Testing Officer, a representative from CDT (,Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc.) and the Chairperson of the Expert Panel.
All players face one mandatory urine test during spring training, one during the season and one during the off-season. There are also 4800 random tests during the season with at least 200 of them taking place during ST. There are 350 random urine tests during the off season as well. The urine tests are done to check for “Performance Enhancing Substances, DHEA, Diuretics and Masking Agents.” Blood draws for hGH testing has a different schedule.
Any player that is busted is then subject to an additional Six unannounced urine collections and three unannounced blood collections over the twelve months following the violation that resulted in the follow-up testing, and six unannounced
urine collections and three unannounced blood collections in every subsequent year in the Player’s career during which he is on any Club’s 40-man roster.
All testing is done at the World Anti-Doping Agency certified laboratory known as Laboratoire de Controle du Dopage (INRS – Institut Armand-Frappier) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Testing is not as it was years ago (easy to cheat via “cycling” etc). Eveer since A-Roid and Biogenesis MLB testing is as tough or tougher than any sport.
BTW for anyone interested PDF’s of the JDA and CBA are located on the MLB Players website and the MLB website.
Canosucks
Cat Mando
Thanks man; professional job in your response!
Cat Mando
My Pleasure
iverbure
I remember reading comments that day. Mets fans were so happy. They thought they won the trade regardless of how kelenic played in the future. Cano can play DH they said in a year or two. Fans are so simple as long as they trade for the guy they’ve heard of they’re happy and think they’ve won the trade.
Now they’ve got a albatross of a contract and it would be worse had the Luxury tax not gone up. Looks good on them.
Birch
Wut? Majority of Mets fans were extremely angered by the fact that we dealt Kelenic for an over-the-hill Cano and a reliever.
Also, you (and others) seem to forget that the last playing time Cano had in 2020, he hit .316/.352 /.544. Was it the PEDs? Probably. Does it indicate that he could still be good with the bat? Yes. With a DH spot now, he might not be as useless as everyone is already assuming. For what it’s worth, I didn’t want him at all and I still don’t. I’m just not writing him off, yet.
Canosucks
As a Met fan I second “Birch” observations.
Met’s fans were not happy to use words that won’t get flagged on here.
Unlike him though at 40 and hopefully not on the juice I am writing him off
HBan22
If I were the Mets, I would hold on to McNeil and Davis and try to trade Smith for some pitching.
You Can Put It In The Books
This is the way I’d like them to proceed as well. I’m just not sure Davis gets them much of a return.
raisinsss
Yep.
The DH probably increased JD’s value more than anyone else’s. One of Dom/Cano does not really have a place.
Noel1982
Don’t have a place for another team either as far as giving up a valuable pitcher for them ! Like reds have no use for them as a key piece in a Castillo trade
wildboyz
The addition of the DH to the NL, made JD Davis MORE valuable.
He’s a hitter, who can’t really play the field, so you’re wrong on all accounts
They need to keep Dom around, especially after Pete’s accident.
There could still be lingering effects from such a serious accident.
Noel1982
Not on any accounts at least when it comes to the reds and Castillo ! A lot of teams would want him if Mets where to get him davis would be like the fourth piece of a Deal ! A throw in flyer!
You Can Put It In The Books
With Bassitt in the fold and going potentially 7 deep in the rotation already, the Mets have no need for Castillo. We’re suggesting a trade for a reliever, which JD should be able to fetch at some point.
You Can Put It In The Books
@Noel1982
This is a very non-objective assessment of JD’s value.
Noel1982
How long have Mets been willing to move both jd davis and dom smith ? It’s been a while logic dictates the players are worth more to Mets keeping them over teams offering value for them in trade
You Can Put It In The Books
They haven’t been willing to trade them since this offseason? I think you may be mistaken – there was no way they were trading them last year or even considering it with all of their injuries,
Cosmo2
The media has had those guys on the trading block since day one though. Doesn’t mean the team was actually looking to move them but the media reports what it wants.
You Can Put It In The Books
Gotcha, I misunderstood.
rct
It’s a good idea, but Smith’s trade value has to be as low as it’s ever been. I’m not sure it makes sense right now to trade him because the return would be very light considering how poorly he played last year.
raisinsss
Jeff McNeil is the last Mc/MacAnything I’d ever call “Mac”
thechiguy
Hmmmm… who needs a 2b type? Or even part time DH who can play 2b 4 times a week? Maybe Cohen will pay 40 of his 48 and send him to …hmm… I dunno… maybe the O’s? A’s? Reds? White Sox?
You Can Put It In The Books
Mets are only on the hook for $40M of the $48M total. But point taken, maybe someone will take him for pennies on the dollar to open up a roster spot.
rct
No idea why the Orioles, As, or Reds would take him on, even for a few million (if the Mets picked up the bulk of his salary). He doesn’t seem to fit where the Orioles are right now and the As and Reds have been slashing payroll like mad. I don’t see any of them having any interest in Cano.
iverbure
The jays. I dunno why the jays would be interested now in cano though. Maybe mid season if it look like cano can still hit and play average d at 2b. I’d be concerned with Canó’s attitude disrupting a WS contender if he’s benched though.
NYMetsFanatic
In 2020, I saw Canó give up on a lot of hot hit ground balls that McNeil would have sacrificed his every limb to get to. I think that’s the difference between the two of them at this point. McNeil is hungry and still out to prove himself especially after the dismal season he had last year. Don’t be too surprised if we see the earlier McNeil we all know and love.
You Can Put It In The Books
This.
VonPurpleHayes
The right move. I know people are counting Cano out, but he was actually one of the Mets best offensive players in 2020. I mean he was cheating for the third time, but he was raking. It’s very possible he does so again (both the cheating and raking).
thechiguy
Now there’s a well thought out and researched statement if I ever heard one @VonPurpleHayes
MarlinsFanBase
@VonPurpleHayes
The question is will he use something undetectable or not tested for this time or not?
Ducky Buckin Fent
I remember watching Robbie when he came up. So smooth. & you could see he had the talent to be considered a great player & a great Yankee. I was so pissed when Hal didn’t match Seattle’s (ooops) offer.
But: here in ’22 he’s a punchline to his fans & his team would love to be rid of him. Crazy to see, man. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find it a little sad, too.
Rsox
Cano will DH if Smith is traded. Cohen could also just eat the remainder of the contract and just be done with Cano already
You Can Put It In The Books
Cano will not play everyday. He will DH, play some 2B and possibly some 1B on days when they rest Polar Bear (in the DH spot).
Samuel
Today players get hurt and rested.
Very few teams – if any – have a starting 8 on D that plays there most of the year.
Same as starting pitchers – can’t remember the last time a Starting 5 may all starts for a team in a season.
iverbure
Most frequently used lineups are usually like only 6,7 times during a season.
I get a chuckle when people post a lineup and say look at how good they’re going to be when in fact that lineup might take the field once or twice if the team is lucky.
PitcherMeRolling
Good. Think Dom Smith and JD Davis will both get traded, but I’d be down to have them start the season platooning at DH and getting additional playing time via double headers and when starters need additional rest. Depth is going to be even more important this year.
j_butte
Lol, if Cano hits like he did in 2020 he’s playing everyday. He’s probably gonna thrive in an everyday DH role.
thechiguy
I’m not Nostradamus @ J_butte… BUT….. .316/.352/.544 in 2022 for Cano is about as attainable as me and you being the Double play combo for the Yankees this season…..
Rsox
If the unvaxed players aren’t allowed to play in New York thing is true you might have a better chance than you realize
thechiguy
Good call Rsox…… I did not even take that into consideration prior to my post…
Canosucks
Why does everyone bring up Cano and 2020; he was on the JUICE!
That is why he was suspended and forced out of 2021
It was all fake…
TradeAcuna
Mets: the most overrated team in baseball!
You Can Put It In The Books
That’s fair based on the history of the Mets, but we’ll see! New owner, new front office, a manager who can finally manage a pitching staff and lots of new faces. At least they’re trying.
metsie1
Yet, your over here posting in a story about the Mets.
raisinsss
There just isn’t any value in your opinions.
Easy mute.
609Collectibles
I think either Davis or Dom Smith get dealt, too many DH types on that team.
RobM
It’s good that Showalter is defining roles and letting players know where they stand up front. Not that that’s a surprise with Buck. He let’s players know their roles and where they stand.
I am curious, though, to see how the McNeil-Showalter relationship goes. Showalter is a no-nonsense manager and McNeil has a bit of a reputation on the selfish side.
TF4L
Really? What did he do that was selfish?
Cosmo2
I don’t know about selfish but there are some issues. Lindor seems to feel that he’s too lackadaisical about positioning for example. And apparently he doesn’t respond well to a teammate telling him to tighten things up.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Do you like your non-supervisory coworkers telling you to tighten things up? And for Lindor, owner of the worst contract in baseball to say anything about anyone is rich.
You Can Put It In The Books
They’re professionals. If Donaldson and Cole can play together, Lindor and McNeil will work it out and be just fine.
Cosmo2
So we’re going to pretend that team leadership and individuals holding each other accountable for effort doesn’t exist? That it hasn’t been a major part of the game since the beginning? Are we pretending that veterans don’t often have a degree of authority? C’mon now.
RobM
Selfish is probably not quite the right word, but let’s just say he’s very regimented and wants things his way. Apparently the Lindor-McNeill incident was caused by McNeil’s inflexibility on defensive positioning. No, it wasn’t a rat or raccoon! An acquaintance works within the media (not a reporter) and McNeil’s attitude seems to be known. BTW It’s quite possible having someone like Showalter who is not going to take any B.S. will help…or completely hurt! I’m not surprised, though, that Showalter from the start is addressing McNeil’s role.
Cosmo2
Yea I figured that’s what you were getting at when you said selfish.
RobM
I was struggling to find the correct word, and I’m still not sure what the right word is for it. It doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy at all, just that there’s the potential for a flareup.
rct
I don’t know if selfish is the right word, but he definitely has a reputation as a hot head who can wind himself up a little too tightly. When he’s playing well, it’s passion. When he’s not, it’s frustration.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
I never understood the Mets trading for Cano and its been a disaster except for a brief stretch in the very beginning of his Mets tenure. Man…. that may go down as the worst contract ever…. The only reason Cano won’t retire is that he doesn’t want to forfeit the money left that he didn’t forfeit thanks to suspensions. Crazy he’s already lost nearly $46M off that contract. He seriously might as well have stayed with NYY and taken the line up protection and potentially have avoided suspensions or trades.
raisinsss
Chris Davis has it beat several times over.
You Can Put It In The Books
Justin Dunn and Jared Kelenic have done nothing to confirm the trade has been a disaster for the Mets. It’s been equally underwhelming to this point for both sides. Granted, Kelenic can still become something. But as it currently stands he has a long way to go to even be a league average hitter.
Cosmo2
Having to pay that salary alone makes it a disaster. Actually Diaz is pretty good but other than that, disaster. Besides, it’s bad process no matter what the eventual result.
You Can Put It In The Books
No argument on process. There’s a reason BVW is no longer GM.
rct
Dunn just got traded along with others for Suarez and Winkler, so that adds a little wrinkle into how you judge the deal.
Plus, the Mariners cleared a ton of payroll and that flexibility has allowed them to build up a pretty good team right now. imo, anything they can get out of Kelenic is just extra. Unless Cano and Diaz come out and play great this year, Mariners solidly won the trade.
You Can Put It In The Books
The Mets had their assessment of the two prospects spot on. They got one of the better closers in the sport and the M’s are still waiting for a return (aside from cap space they are tapping into multiple years later). It’s debatable to me. The Mets will never “win” the trade. Rationalizing that it’s a clear win for the Mariners is hyperbolic.
iverbure
Clearing that amount of money from your roster when you are a non playoff team is a win regardless of return. Getting a top 10 prospect who could still be traded for every single top trade candidate is a massive slam dunk win for mariners in the trade and it’s not even close and any of the brilliant Ivy League gms will tell you that just as I am currently.
Canosucks
Diaz set and holds the MLB all time record for home runs given up in the ninth inning. gofer balls!
He is NOT a good reliever and that is why the Mets have had to protect him in how they use him.
People say he bounced back in 2020 but that was only because the major home-run hitting teams were not faced by him in the 60 game schedule. And he had no pressure playing in front of NY fans.
2021 he went back to late inning gofer ball form and can not be counted on.
Kelenic is young and hit 2 less home runs last year than Francisco Linwhore!
iverbure
Given that kelenic and Dunn could still be traded for every top trade candidate out there I’d say the trade was a disaster and it’s not even close. People don’t take into account roster spots, and financial flexibility as major value points for teams.
neurogame
“Canó didn’t show any signs of slowing down when last permitted to take the field.”
Yeah, because he was juicing,
Willy Smith
What are your offensive projections for McNeil this year? Thanks
angt222
.300 BA/17 HR/ 71 RBI
Cosmo2
OPS+ around 125
NYMETSHEA
BA – .310
OBP – .380
HR – 15
RBI – 80 (more or less depending on place in lineup, batting directly behind Nimmo and Marte could increase his RBI to career highs)
.
mike156
Cano is one of those guys who probably could hit at 50. You could see it when he first came up, But he’s an albatross now, big salary, close to unplayable in the field, and the PEDS. McNeil makes sense to keep, not just because of positional value, but also because on a very high salaried team, he’s cheap.
RobM
His hitting and bat skills are quite real, but he’s also pushing 40. It wouldn’t surprise me if that’s why he turned back to PEDs with the Mets as he felt his bat speed slipping. I am curious to see what he can do at his age and after missing more than a year. I’m sure he’ll be clean. He has way too much to lose now if he was caught again.
Canosucks
RobM “I’m sure he’ll be clean.”
I don’t think so it will only be a matter of if he gets tested and if he gets caught.
Did you see him playing winter ball? What a joke!! He was going up against “stick ball pitching” and his biggest highlight spot was a grounder between first and second to dive in a run! Any MLB player would have stopped it for an out.
Oh and I think he batted 250’s 260’s against winter league “stick ball pitching”
Eat the money Cohen and let him go!!
angt222
Nice to know Buck has common sense.
Buckner
1. Dom Smith is the lefty bat off the bench.
2. JD Davis is the righty bat off the bench.
3. Both will serve as 4th OF as Marte and Nimmo will spend time on the IL.
4. Dom Smith is your backup 1B and LF
5. Davis is backup 3B and LF. Nimmo to RF if needed.
6. Cano will DH every day and be fine.
7. There’s no sense bringing in another bat to be “the bat off the bench.” You don’t want to burn a rookie sitting around waiting to pinch hit in a tight spot. Smith and Davis are perfect in their roles as-is.
We HAVE a manager, finally.
Nothing to see here, move along.
You Can Put It In The Books
Vientos will debut at some point, and sooner rather than later. He’s first up should there be an injury.
Buckner
Why rush the kid (Vientos or Baty) up? They have to give him a chance to learn to play the OF (as Baty will be 3b). For that matter, Mauricio will need to learn a new position, as Lindor will be blocking him for years to come.
This whole “scarcity mindset” the Wilpons embedded in most Met fans needs to be dropped. We do not need to rush players through the system and bring some half-baked kid up to play in front of knucklehead impatient fans like me and you.
Who knows how many decent players the Mets chewed up and spit out over the 40 years in the desert known as the Wilson era?
This is a new approach. None of us are used to this.
You Can Put It In The Books
Baty won’t be up this year, but I guarantee Vientos.
dlw0906
If he goes back to being a hitter and not trying to slug the ball so mucb he’ll have a nice bounce-back campaign.
Cosmo2
He’s like two different hitters. One that hits .265 with 30 homers and another who hits .330 with twelve.
NYMETSHEA
What’s your take for a lineup as the roster currently exist?!?
RF – Nimmo
CF – Marte
2nd – McNeil
SS – Lindor
1st – Alonso
DH – Cano
3rd – JD Davis
LF – Canha
C – McCann
Cosmo2
Looks good. I’d switch Alonso and Lindor and be inclined to start Escobar at third with Davis, Cano, Smith as DH options. I think I’m done watching Davis butcher third base. But a thousand points for Nimmo leading off.
RobM
I keep feeling Lindor should be up higher, but it’s a credit to the strength of the Mets lineup that he could bat as low as 5th.
Canosucks
Lindor should not bat any higher than seventh until he proves he can play in NY.
Cano is a joke at 40 off the juice and should not bat any higher than 10th.
Yes softball reference because that is where he should be playing!
Buckner
You are close.
Switch LF and RF.
And put Escobar at 3b. That’s what the manager said today.
resident
Looks too light at top of the order. I might drop Marte to 8 or 9 and just slide everyone up a spot. And Cano has to prove he can still hit or someone else goes into his slot.
Ma4170
Escobar will start at 3b… Lindor will prob hit 3rd, Alonso 4th, McNeil maybe 6 or 7 hole
NYMETSHEA
I want high OBP to be at the top of the order when I suggested it.
Nimmo, Marte, and hopefully rebounding McNeil will set the table for everyone else. Imagine having .380-.400 obp at the top of your lineup.
I know that Escobar might have a leg up but I have a feeling Davis will hit his way into the lineup. Most logical would be DH Davis, but I would probably want to rotate Smith into the lineup as well as have a place for Cano (should he still hit).
iverbure
Nimmo
Marte
Lindor
Alonso
McNeil
Canha
Cano
Escobar
McCann
But writing out best lineups is useless because at most you might see this lineup 1-5 times all season long.
David Kupsick
Phillies fan here…we have NOT improved too much, just replaced a few pen pieces and replaced Cutch with Schwarber who is equally as poor defensively.
Love Nimmo
Marte is nice but losing Pillar and Conforto hurts
Cano is 39
Dom Smith is where?
Didn’t the Mets replace McCann with another catcher last year?
Are the Mets better or worse than last year?
Lost Syndergaard added Scherzer (even swap)
Lost Marcus Stroman, Loup, Rich Hill
Lost Familia and Hand to Phillies (oh boy)
IMO no team in the NL East has moved the needle too much.
resident
This decision also boosts McNeils trade value as he is not viewed as an extra piece on Mets roster. It also sends a message to Cano regarding his perceived role on the team.
PitcherMeRolling
This doesn’t affect McNeil’s trade value at all. Nobody cares how he’ll be used with the Mets, they care how he’d be used on their team.
48-team MLB
Scherzer: 18 wins
deGrom: 17 wins
Bassitt: 14 wins
Rest of team: Six wins combined
Cosmo2
deGrom 17 wins? Now you’re being optimistic about the Mets.
48-team MLB
Do the math. I’m very optimistic about their chances to win 55 games.
Cosmo2
Yea I know I was just nit-picking.
rct
Pretty optimistic. deGrom has never won more than 15 and his injuries are likely going to come back this year. Plus, for whatever reason, they never score runs for him. But I’d love to see it.
iverbure
Wins for pitchers what a completely useless stat in today’s baseball and one that’s a completely waste of time trying to predict.
Timothy Frith
I think the Mets will trade Jeff McNeil along with Dominic Smith, Taijuan Walker and prospects Ronny Mauricio and Joander Suarez to the Mariners for Marco Gonzales and Dylan Moore, name newly acquired switch-hitting infielder Eduardo Escobar their primary 2nd baseman and name Robinson Cano their universal DH.
Cosmo2
That’s a pretty specific thing to just “think” will happen. This has got to be a joke anyway. Horrendous deal for the Mets.
You Can Put It In The Books
It’s not a joke, Timothy just has a substance abuse problem.
NWMarinerHawk
Everybody knows Little Mac is gonna have a nice bounce back and is a huge sleeper in fantasy this year. Buck knows too. Jeff McNeil is a beast coming off the worst stretch of his career. He’s about to go ham
GarryHarris
Dominic Smith is a good defensive 1B. Pete Alonzo is defensively stiff 1B and would be better for the team if he DH. But hey, it’s not about the team anymore. Change the balls too so Pete can have better numbers.
jakec77
Alonso is the better overall player. That’s why he gets to be the first baseman.
If we got to a point where Smith was DHing on a regular basis and Alonso was kept at 1b, then your point would be valid, but as of now that’s not the case.
padam
Bench looks solid right now, provided no one gets traded.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I know this will sound strange and sentimental to some, but I feel for Robbie Cano in a way. I can sense he cares a lot about the fans and how that enormous contract he signed puts the onus and pressure on…that he has to live up to such a contract in the eyes of the fans. He didn’t want to let us down, either M’s fans or Mets fans (or Yank fans.)
Ironically and tragically he decided PEDS could be a tool to help him live up to that contract. If it helped keep him in the lineup or recover faster from the every day physical grind of being an aging elite ball player, I believe he thought he owed it to the fans to do what it took to be “THE Robbie Cano” and be in the lineup every day and be a contributor. He didn’t consume PEDS to hit 50 homeruns, or to make billions. HIS salary was guaranteed obviously. I think he care immensely, it backfired though. BUT I truly believe his heart was in the right place. Give ’em hell, Robbie…still cheering for ya from Seattle.
Canosucks
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Are you a family member, friend, or relative of Cano?
He could care less about Met’s players and Met fans in general.
I remember plays when he wouldn’t even run out of the box or just walked off the field! Do you have a mancrush on this guy?
He LIED and promised Mets ownership and fans his first test was a mistake!
That is committing fraud; if anyone of us misrepresented themselves like that in a business deal we would be in jail where he belongs!
PED’s are illegal and he should be in jail, we would be.
brandonl
Nimmo – LF
Marte – CF
Lindor – SS
Alonso – 1B
Escobar – 3B
McNeil – 2B
Canha – RF
Cano – DH
McCann – C
to4
1.Nimmo LF
2.Marte CF
3.Lindor SS
4.Alonso 1B
5.McNeil 2B
6.Escobar 3B
7.Smith/Cano/Davis DH
8.Canha RF
9.McCann C
Bill M
Harrelson ss
Millan 2b
Mays cf
Staub rf
Jones lf
Milner 1b
Fregosi 3b
Dyer c
Seaver p
David Kupsick
Rusty Staub
Jerry Grote
jim stem
This could be fun – favorite (net greatest) at each position?
C – Gary Carter
1B – Eddie Kranepool
2B – Felix Millan for choke up!
3B – David Wright
SS – Buddy Harrelson
LF – Cleon Jones
CF – Mookie Wilson
RF – Rusty Staub
SP – Tom Seaver
– Jake deGrom
– Dwight Gooden
– Jerry Koosmam
– David Cone
(I didn’t see Ryan.)
RP – Tug McGraw
John Franco
Roger McDowell
Jesse Orosco
Bob Apodaca/Rick Aguilera
Honorable Mentions
Willie Mays – very late in career
Ron Darling
Lenny Dykstra
Keith Hernandez
Ray Knight
Jerry Grote/Duffy Dyer
Strawberry
Lenny Randle
Howard Johnson
Edgardo Alfonso
Kevin Mitchell
Tommy Agee
John Milner
jim stem
Devil’s advocate:
Scherzer and deGrom make 20 starts each.
Carrasco makes 15 – need to cover another 15 starts.
Bassitt seems to be reliable.
I think Walker will have a more consistent year.
That leaves about 45 starts lost starts where Pederson and Megill will need to step up, 22-25 starts for each of them.
That’s still a very solid starting 7 pitchers.
Second base:
McNeil has to figure out how to beat the shift or He will be sitting behind Cano, waiting to double switch late in the game.
DH:
There should be a rotation here with Pete full time and Dom at 1B. Dom has sleep apnea which means he will go through spells of sluggishness. On those days, Pete takes 1B and Davis DH’s.
Meanwhile, EVERY TEAM will go through 10-20 day injury stretches where all these will get plenty of at bats.
Now, throw Kris Davis into this mix and it all changes!