Podcast Episode #3: N.Y. Mets Off-Season Marches On

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A
METSIAN

Podcast
with Sam, Rich, and Mike

EPISODE #3
Featured Guest:
Gary Mack of MetsMusings.com 
 
A quiet off-season is making the Mets look busy by comparison.
More ranting about the Wilpons; What's the plan at second base?
Look back at the 2003 season; Players who've worn #3 in Mets history.
Curtis Granderson appreciation, and a bunch of other stuff ...

N.Y. Mets: First Podcast of 2017

Here's out latest podcast at 

RisingApple.com

Episode #141 Rising Apple Report

Sam and I talk Mets baseball with guest 

Greg Prince of FaithAndFearInFlushing.com

Stuff

The Queens Baseball Convention

Tom Seaver

Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce

the Bullpen

the 1941 Season:

Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, New York Yankees

N.Y. Mets: Thor Lowers Hammer on Max Scherzer and the Nationals

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

ROOSEVELT AVENUE RUMBLE

Mets lead series 1-0

I - NYM 2; WAS 0

II - WEDNESDAY

GAME TWO

Washington Nationals

SP-Gio Gonzalez

vs.

New York Mets

SP-Bartolo Colon

NEW YORK METS: Noah Syndergaard out-duels Nationals veteran ace Max Scherzer in series opening main event.

Noah Syndergaard to Addison Reed to Jeurys Familia ...

A Curtis Granderson lead-off home run, and done.

That's how the defending N.L. champs took the series opener over the Washington Nationals and closed within one-half game of first place.

As Howie Rose would say - Put it in the books!

Noah Syndergaard, 23, dominated the first place Nationals for seven scoreless innings.  He faced 24 batters, and threw 102 pitches with a very efficient 72 (70.5%) going for strikes.  He surrendered just five hits, walked none, and fanned 10 batters.  This was his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, and the seventh of his career.

The victory improved his record to 4-2 this season, and lowered his ERA down from 2.53 to a 2.19 mark.  His WHIP likewise dropped to 0.99 for the season.  Thor has now surrendered 41 hits in 53.1 innings pitched, with just nine walks, and 65 strikeouts.

It's easy to overlook the man has only made a mere 32 career MLB starts.  He did not debut for the Mets until May 12, 2015, against the Cubs in Chicago.  He took the loss in that game, but he's been lowing the hammer on N.L. opponents ever since.  To date, he boasts a 13-9 record, with a 2.96 ERA, and 1.044 WHIP, over just 103.1 career innings pitched.

Addison Reed was all business as well, throwing eight pitches with seven going for strikes, en route to fanning a pair during his lone inning of work.

Jeurys Familia closed the door in the ninth for his 13th save, recording the final out of the game against Bryce Harper.

The Mets line-up was opposed by Max Scherzer, who was fresh off a 20-strikeout performance against the Detroit Tigers.  Appropriately then, former Tiger Curtis Granderson homered off Scherzer leading off the game.  But little did Washington know they lost the game right then.

The young buck, Michael Conforto, gave the Mets an insurance run with a solo shot in the sixth, and their ultimate 2-0 margin over the Nats.  It was Conforto's sixth home run, and 21st RBI of the season.

That makes 30 strikeouts for Max Scherzer in his last 15.1 innings pitched.

Washington's Max Scherzer lasted 6.1 innings, allowed two earned runs on just three hits and three walks, but matched Syndergaard with ten strikeouts despite the loss.

Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

The Washington Nationals have now lost three in a row.

N.Y. Mets: N.L. East Podcast Pt. Two, and more 2016 previews

Here's our latest at 

RisingApple.com

Rising Apple Report N.L. East Preview Pt. 2 

Featuring Fred Owens from Fansided's Tomahawk Take (Braves)

and Matt Veasey from Fansided's That Ball Is Outta Here (Phillies)

Rich hosted, while I shook my pom-poms.
In all honesty, a great show ... with a creepy ending (by yours truly).
We ranted a bit about Matt Harvey, and
covered the potential Mets/Royals revenge factor entering the season opener.

ICYMI:

Rising Apple Report N.L. East Preview Pt. 1

Featuring Ricky Keeler from District on Deck (Nationals)

and Sean Millerick from Marlins Maniac.

In all, Rich and I hosted four outstanding guests from our Fansided sister sites whom performed well above and beyond our standards over the course of two shows.

Mets 2016 Season Previews

Here are my short takes on the following topics:

• What player or team will be the Mets' Kryptonite in 2016? 
• The Mets player most likely to disappoint. 
• Mets player most likely to surprise.    
• What should we expect from David Wright? 
• Which starting pitcher are you most excited to see?

Rising Apple senior staff writer

N.Y. Mets: Happy Pitchers and Catchers Day

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

The Truck 'O' Stuff Has Arrived ...

NEW YORK METS: As Pitchers and Catchers report, defense of their National League championship starts now.

The AGE of WILPONianism

Year 14 A.D. 

(After Doubleday)

Roughly 4,802 days ago, former partners Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday parted ways, 
thus making Fred and Jeff Wilpon, and Saul Katz, sole owners of the 
New York Metropolitan Baseball Club.

Team ownership has been a rather neat and tidy history ... from Joan Payson, to Nelson Doubleday, to Fred Wilpon & Son.  We are now entering the 14th year of the latter's reign.

I couldn't resist...

Having secured the 2015 National League pennant, the Wilpons easily enjoyed their finest moment as sole owners of the Mets - for it was ownership whom stepped up at last year's trade deadline and dictated the short term course of the club.

With the off-season now officially behind us, the New York Mets enter Spring Training an improved team, with ownership's continued financial investment into Yoenis Cespedes largely to thank, which is not to say they've retired their massive debt - far from it.

Nevertheless, after a long rebuilding process the Mets are no longer underdogs, and instead enter the 2016 regular season among the favorites to win the World Series.

This blog created the WILPONian Calender in jest, and so, with a turn in team fortunes, ownership at least deserves straight forward credit.

If you think about it, the time spanning the respective firings of Bobby Valentine and Steve Phillips, through Art Howe, Jim Duquette, Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya, the 2016 New York Mets indeed enter the season on the highest of notes over the last 14 years.

So let it be done...

The Competition

With regards to the N.L. East, I think it's safe to say we're talking about a two team race between the Mets and Nationals.  Despite signing 2015 NLCS hero Daniel Murphy, many might argue the Nationals actually took step backwards this off-season.  As noted, the Mets on the other hand, are an improved team.  By how much is debatable, but they're improved nonetheless.

The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins are next in the division hierarchy, while the Philadelphia Phillies seem destined for another last place finish.  All three teams lost in excess of 90 games last season.  Perhaps only Miami, with the return of Giancarlo Stanton, seems equipped to break that trend this season.

Otherwise, I do not think much else has changed.  In the West Division, Los Angeles and San Francisco will battle for a lone playoff spot, because the N.L. Central will once again feature three of the circuit's top tier clubs.  Some believe the Cubs are the favorites to dethrone the Mets as N.L. champs.

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

The Team

Can you believe it?  No overwhelming issues.

Without getting into the real particulars, there are no positional jobs up for grabs per se, the bench is poised to be strong, the starting rotation is set, and outside of one remaining reliever spot there are no glaring needs to speak of.

Oh how the times have changed...

Behind the dish, Travis d'Arnaud simply needs to stay on the field and in the line-up on a more consistent basis.  His penchant for incurring fluke injuries is becoming problematic.  I'm still high on Kevin Plawecki.  The Mets have a good situation on their hands, but ultimately, one of these catchers needs to win the job outright.  That said, it's obviously TDA's to lose.

Will the real Lucas Duda please show up...  Are the Mets getting Dr. Jekyll from 2014, or last year's Mr. Hyde?  His 2015 regular season was entirely too streaky.  Perhaps he'll benefit from having Yoenis Cespedes in the line-up for a full season.  He has a lot of convincing to do.

Up the middle, Asdrubal Cabrera and Neil Walker are more polished infielders than Wilmer Flores and Daniel Murphy demonstrated.  The Mets are better defensively, if only slightly.  Offensively, the Mets might be breaking even.  The acquisition of Cabrera, however, turns Wilmer Flores into a super-sub off the bench.  There's real net gain here.

Look no further than third base, where the Mets are looking towards limiting David Wright to 130 games.

Yoenis Cespedes will headline the outfield.  If only the Mets could convince him to play right field, where they'd maximize his freakish arm strength.  Curtis Granderson looks like he drinks from the fountain of youth.  Unlike last season, Terry Collins gets to figure a way of fitting Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, and Alex De Aza, over the course of a full season.  Once again, it's a good problem to have.

As the starting pitching goes, so go the Mets - obviously.  And by the way, their lone southpaw starter, Jon Niese, got traded to Pittsburgh.  I wish him luck there.  Otherwise, there's a need for a fifth starter.

In the bullpen, the Mets perhaps need one more reliever in order to round out what seems like a capable bunch (for now...).

That concludes my first stretch...

Happy Pitchers and Catchers Day!

N.Y. Mets: 2015 Review - The Year That Was Podcast

Here's our final podcast of 2015
a/o December 29th

On behalf of the crew at 

RisingApple.com

Happy New Year

The three Rising Apple veterans,

Sam, Rich, and I, talked about the 2015 season that was. 

Gary Mac from MetsMusings.com called in to wish a Happy New Year.

Stuff: 

Michael Conforto, Bartolo Colon, Curtis Granderson, Wilmer Flores,

Thor, Jeurys Familia, the departed Daniel Murphy, 

where's next year's offense coming from, 

favorite moments, and much more.

We actually exercised some discipline 

and limited ourselves to a one hour show.

Enjoy!

#LGM

N.Y. Mets: Raining Champagne

Here's my latest for

Rising Apple.com

Mets: Cruel Summer Yields To Champagne Showers

Mike

Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Podcast #119 - Calm Before the Storm

Here's our latest podcast at 

RisingApple.com

The four most senior writers at Rising Apple put a ribbon on the season that was, 

and turned (our) attention towards the post-season ahead.

Episode #119 The Rising Apple Report: 

Calm Before The Storm; Next Stop, Los Angeles

We left no topic unspoken..

Our full NLDS Preview Show will most likely take place Thursday evening.

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Yoenis Cespedes' arm belongs in right field

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Would the Mets be better served with Yoenis Cespedes' arm in right field?

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Staring Risk/Reward in the Face

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Ladies and gentlemen, 

this September bound 7-train is now going express....

NEW YORK METS: The dog days of Summer have taken a bite out of the Nationals.  It is the Amazins whom now hold the high ground.

A third of the way through August, and the Amazins have flipped the National League East on its ear.

The Washington Nationals were overwhelming pre-season favorites to win the N.L. East, but the dog days of Summer find them still unwilling to seize the division.  Sure, the Nats have dealt with injuries to key players, but in the name of Dr, Moreau, the Mets have too.

In any event, Washington had numerous opportunities to separate themselves from the Mets this season but failed each time.  Two weeks ago, the Mets were hopelessly undermanned, offensively inept, and trailing the Nationals in the standings.

Last week, Washington got swept at Citi Field, and most recently stumbled against the Colorado Rockies this past Sunday at home, thus helping preserve the Mets 1.5 game division lead despite New York's own 4-3 defeat and series loss against Tampa.

There's a lesson to be learned by the Nationals, and all overwhelming favorites throughout the land for that matter:

• Linger long ~ Linger wrong!

Now reinforced and better equipped, it is the Mets who own the high ground.

Due to the mid-July emergence of Curtis Granderson, the return of Travis d'Arnaud, Sandy Alderson's subsequent additions and the positive effects they've had on Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda, there's a tangible sense the 1st place Mets have separated themselves from their previously woeful offensive condition, and are now poised to fend off the talent rich, yet ponderously inconsistent Washington Nationals.

Whether Sandy Alderson's deadline gamble eventually translates into a playoff berth remains to be seen, but the early returns are very promising.

Touche to Fred...

Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson, Yoenis Cespedes, and reliever Tyler Clippard all made solid contributions during the Mets recent 7-game winning streak, and as noted helped propel the club into 1st place.

At the end of the day, though, these moves were designed to win now.  My only reservation is the potential inability to retain Yoenis Cespedes.  With regards to 2015, however, I have no issue.  The effort is being appreciated by the vast majority of Mets fans, as the final 52 games of the regular season are shaping up to be very meaningful ones for the first time since Citi Field opened.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Sandy Alderson did just as well addressing the present without violently compromising the Mets future.  Striking a balance between present and future goals is an age old dilemma that's never ceased being a front office conundrum.  One or two wrong moves could result in someone becoming a former general manager.  For the moment though, it appears as if Alderson had about as fine a trading period a baseball executive can have.

Make no mistake, the Mets paid a stiff price upgrading their roster, which could come back and haunt them (both financially and on the mound) once Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, etc., enter the latter years of their respective arbitration eligibility periods, and beyond...., or not.

That's clearly putting the cart before the horse.  At this premature juncture, only Fred's bankers can address such scenarios.

In this particular case, the cost/risk of Alderson's non-waiver deadline deals strike me as moderately low to moderate, while the rewards of his gamble could could pay off immeasurably.  Quite simply, should the Mets still find themselves in contention upon the arrival of Autumn, the greater reward the Mets will reap, and so forth.

We fans will also be less likely to wrestle over the cost of said playoff push come the off-season.

On that note there's two things to keep in mind:

   #1) - Among a farm system's primary roles is to develop and provide their parent club with major league ready talent.  In likewise manner, they are to develop and maintain a sufficiently skilled surplus of players to be utilized in trades.

   #2) - Over recent years, the Mets system became overly populated with right-hand pitchers.  If there was an item the Mets were supremely prepared to part with, right-handed hurlers were it.

Now for the bill...

Three separate deals to acquire 4 quality major league veterans cost the Mets five minor league starting pitchers:

• Luis Cessa: (Rk, A-, A, A+, AA, AAA)

Cessa, 23, was the eldest of the five to get traded, and only whom managed to reach Las Vegas.  A former infielder turned pitcher, he was a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones' Fabulous-Five starting rotation which dominated the 2012 New York-Penn League regular season.

If forced to rate his 2012 performance in comparison to those of his 4 rotation mates, I'd place Cessa's effort 5th.  However, that's furthest from an indictment of Cessa's 2012 season.  Instead, it's an astonishing indication of just how dominant that year's rotation really was.

For the record, Luis Cessa started 13 games for Brooklyn in 2012.  He registered 72.1 innings pitched, posted a 5-4 record with 2.49 ERA and 1.065 WHiP, with a modest 5.5 K/9 average, but a fine 1.6 W/9 mark.

In 89 total appearances over 5 minor league seasons with the Mets, Luis Cessa posted a 31-28 record with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.222 WHiP.   In 481 innings pitched, he improved to an overall 7.3 K/9 average since his Brooklyn days, and remained consistent with a 1.8 W/9 average.

Unfortunately, he became the first of Brooklyn's famed Fabulous-Five to become a casualty of doing business.

• Michael Fulmer: (Rk, A, A+, AA)

Fulmer, 22, was perhaps the most touted of the lot, and the one remaining minor league pitcher Mets fans were grumbling to keep.  The club selected him in the 1st round (44th/Compensation-A) of the 2011 June amateur draft.  In 71 appearances over 5 minor league seasons he posted an even 23-23 record with a 3.15 ERA and 1.261 WHiP.  In 357.2 total innings pitched, he fanned 338 batters for an 8.5 K/9 average.

Simple stats hardly detail his odyssey.  In 2013, he twice underwent surgery to correct the same torn meniscus.  In 2014, he then underwent minor surgery to remove a bone spur and chips from his pitching elbow.

But by 2015 he seemingly put all that behind him and was enjoying a break out season with (AA)-Binghamton.  Through 15 starts and 86 innings pitched, he posted a 6-2 record with an Eastern League best 1.88 ERA, and 1.116 WHiP, with accompanying averages of 7.6 H/9, 2.4 W/9, and 8.7 K/9.

After two starts for the Erie SeaWolves- (DET), Michael Fulmer lowered his (AA)-Eastern League leading ERA further to a 1.64 mark.  In 12.2 innings pitched since the trade, he's allowed no runs, walked 3, and fanned 11 batters.

• John Gant: (Rk, A-, A, A+, AA)

Gant, 23, was selected by the Mets in the 21st round of the 2011 draft.  In 69 games and 374 innings pitched over 5 seasons with the organization, he went 28-19 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.249 WHiP, with an 8.6 K/9 average.

• Rob Whalen: (Rk, A, A+)

Whalen, 21, was the Mets 12th round selection of the 2012 amateur draft.  In 45 appearances and 239.2 innings pitched spanning 4 minor league seasons, he posted a 17-11 record with a 2.48 ERA and 1.076 WHiP, with a 7.8 K/9 average.

• Casey Meisner: (Rk, A-, A, A+)

Meisner, 20, is the least experienced of the lot.  He was selected in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft.   In 43 professional appearances and 217 innings pitched within the Mets system, he posted a 16-10 record with a 2.99 ERA and 1.244 WHiP, with a 7.8 K/9 average.



Someone is bound to get insulted (in this case uniformed members of the Mets) when broaching sensitive subjects such as backbones and intestinal fortitude.  I'll merely say the Mets seemingly now have enough of both to actually get this thing done.

So goes the business of contending, and chasing down pennants.



Mike

The Friday Recap: Noah Syndergaard pitches Mets to victory over Reds

Here's my Friday Game Recap for 

RisingApple.com

6/26/2015

Mets Game Recap: Amazins defeat Reds with 2 hits, and the Arm of Thor

Check in every week for my

Friday Recap

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

The Friday Night Recap: Harvey fans 11, but Mets fall short

Here's my

Friday Night Recap

for 

RisingApple.com

Matt Harvey Fans 11 and Mets Go Yard Twice, But Still Fall Short To Marlins, 4-3

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Are the Mets hitters ready for the St. Louis Cardinals pitchers?

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

NEXT:

St. Louis Cardinals

@

NEW YORK METS

Are The Mets Hitters Ready For The St. Louis Cardinals Pitchers?

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Beasts of the East

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: Overcome injuries, suspensions, and comedy of errors, to post 7-3 record in first 10 games.

Despite several key injuries, the Mets have posted a 7-3 record over their first 10 games of the season.  The last five of those victories came consecutively over the Braves, a sweep of the Phillies, and by taking the series opener Thursday night over the Marlins.

And, of course, they took the opening series of the season from the Nationals.

All that has the Mets in first place of the N.L. East.

The atmosphere was electric as Matt Harvey returned to the mound at Citi Field for the first time since 2013, then earned his second victory of the season over the Phillies.  In 6 innings of work he fanned 8 batters, and exacted a measure  of revenge against the Phillies after two Mets batters were hit by pitches, when he plunked Chase Utley and glared at him on his way to first.  Just for the record, Utley homered twice in the game, once against Harvey in the opening frame.

Bartolo Colon, who makes his third start of the season Friday night, is so far 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA.  In 13 innings pitched, he has 13 strikeouts, and a 0.77 WHiP.

In the early going, Jacob deGrom has also demonstrated the effectiveness that earned him Rookie of the Year last season.

My eyes will be focused on Jon Niese this season, as to whether he is indeed recovered from shoulder issues that hindered his performance over the previous two seasons.  He has so far allowed 16 hits and 4 walks in 11.1 innings pitched.

With Bobby Parnell and Vic Black yet to return to duty, and Jenrry Mejia incurring an 80-game suspension for his recent positive PED/steriod test result, the Mets bullpen has nevertheless remained solid.

A late Spring Training trade acquisition, Jerry Blevins has performed very well in 5 appearances.  In 3.1 innings he fanned 4 batters, walked none, and has earned a victory and 3 holds thus far.

Jeurys Familia has earned 4 saves as the team's de facto closer.

At the plate, Lucas Duda is out to prove last year's break-out season was no fluke.  He leads the team with 38 at-bats, and is slashing .395/.439/.632, with 6 doubles, 6 runs scored, and 8 RBI, which accounts for a full 1/3 of all the Mets runs (41) scored so far.

Travis d'Arnaud is batting .297, and is tied with Duda with a team leading 8 RBI.

With 11 walks, a .390 OBP, and a team leading 7 runs scored in 30 at-bats, it can be argued Curtis Granderson is serving the lead-off spot well.  However, he is batting a mere .167 with no extra base hits.

*      *      *

What's old is new...  Jenrry Mejia went old-school in his choice of steroid.  

!Que Bruto!

*      *      *

Injuries continue to test the Mets' mettle:  Zack Wheeler; Josh Edgin; Bobby Parnell; Vic Black; and now David Wright.

*      *      *

Red Alert!  All 7 of the Mets errors this season have come up the middle - Wilmer Flores 3; Daniel Murphy 2; Ruben Tejada and Travis d'Arnaud one each.

Mike

N.Y. Mets: Play Ball..!

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SEASON OPENER

New York Mets

vs.

Washington Nationals

from

D.C.

NEW YORK METS: The 54th Season of Metropolitan Baseball opens in Washington against the National League East favorite, Nationals.

"I wanna walk before they make me run..."  - stuff Keith Richards would say.

Let's get to .500 first!  Then, we can consider this team's play-off worthiness.

I often say, you can't win pennants in April, but you can surely lose them.  The start of the 2015 season is set to play a huge role in the final standings.  Starting Monday, and through May 10th, the Mets will play 26 of their first 31 games against the N.L. East (with 5 inter-league games against the Yankees and Orioles).

Beginning with Monday's season opener, the Mets will play the Nationals 7 times.  The Mets posted a depressing 4-15 record against them last season.  Their mission in 2015, then, is to close the gap.

The Mets will also play Miami 7 times, then Philadelphia and Atlanta 6 times.  A strong start, therefore, would position them in a very competitive situation come Mother's Day.

Once again, I expect the Marlins to be a maddening opponent for both the Mets and Nationals this season.  The Phillies and Braves however, will be locked in a race for last place.

Two things are certain regarding the 2015 Mets: pitching is clearly their strength, and the defense is highly suspect.  

The big unknown centers around the offense.

• The division winning Nationals posted a .253 team batting average in 2014, while the Mets collectively hit a mere .239, which ranked 13th out of 15 teams.

• The Mets were tied for 9th in 2014 with 125 home runs.  The Rockies led the circuit with 186 home runs (but that's because they play in the world's largest pinball machine).  Otherwise, the "windy city" Cubs were 2nd with 157 jacks.  The Nats were 4th with 152 home runs.

• The Nationals placed 3rd with 686 runs scored, 57 more runs than the 8th ranked Mets.

The heart of the Mets line-up will tentatively consist of David Wright, Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson, and Michael Cuddyer.  Can this quartet collectively hit 100 home runs?  I think it's reasonable.  Likely?  Injuries might dictate that.

That leaves Juan Lagares, Wilmer Flores, and Travis d'Arnaud, potentially tipping the balance between the Mets having a National League top third offense, or an inadequate one.

While Juan Lagares in particular should be credited for drawing walks and posting an OBP above .400 during Grapefruit League play, he is being asked to lead-off, which is a skill and a slot he's not ideally suited to fill.  That being said, I feel there is a lot more to Juan Lagares than meets the eye - just not at the top of the order.

Last season, Travis d'Arnaud said he learned his lesson after a demotion to Las Vegas.  He made a correction at the plate, returned to Flushing, and wielded a productive bat thereafter.  That's the d'Arnaud the Mets need this season.  If he doesn't feel threatened by Kevin Plawecki's ascension through the Mets farm system, he should be.

Meanwhile, the Mets hope Wilmer Flores can compensate for any defensive shortcomings at shortstop with his bat.  Fans are divided as to whether he can do just that.  While his bat is not necessarily in question, pairing him up the middle with Daniel Murphy justifiably raises anxiety levels.



Mike

N.Y. Mets: Beyond The Right Field Fence

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS: The contrived right field fence will no longer be the Wailing Wall of Willets Point.

Were the original expansive outfield dimensions at Citi Field killing attendance?  That's the real question.

Ownership sure is behaving that way.  Shorten the fences, and hopefully the team does better in their new accommodations.  After all, it's not just chicks who dig the long ball.  That dad spending $450 bucks bringing his family sure would appreciate his kid's favorite player jacking one out too.

More offense, and more exciting games, will make fans flock back to Citi Field, where they'll buy beer, food, and souvenirs,

Basically, improve everyone's quality of life by moving the fences in.

Brilliant, right?

Let this reaffirm what a huge mistake the original dimensions at Citi Field were - (just because the organization keeps messing with them).  They would have showed more guts just sticking with the original layout and concentrated on fielding more suitable players.

But they caved, and by the end of 2011, the organization had no choice but to revisit left field's Great Wall of Flushing.  But, guess what - that wasn't enough.  Now, after the World Series, the Mets will make a second attempt to finally get things right (I use that word very loosely) - this time they'll reconfigure the right field Wailing Wall of Willets Point.

It's yet another example of just how far off the mark ownership was with this park from the very beginning.

We know it's more than just the dimensions - it's the overwhelming tribute to the Dodgers, it was the initial lack of a Mets Hall of Fame; it was hiding the Home Run Apple back by the chop shops; it was the Domino Pizza looking Citi Field logo and patch; it was a place that did more to alienate Mets fans in its first year than it did to welcome them home.

Citi Field's rudimentary alterations only occurred after the outcry.

The fences that robbed David Wright of his power alley, during his prime, weren't deemed too far until their high priced free agent acquisition, Curtis Granderson, couldn't hit them out of Citi either.

Good.  So now they'll move the fences in during a time when they are rebuilding around young pitching.

It's always so reactionary with them.

When you get right down to it, a field built in a giant parking lot has no reason for such idiosyncratic fencing.

The Mets won't be the only players to find Citi Field's dimensions more forgiving either.  The opposition has already endured the prohibitive years.  Hitting there will become easier for them as well.

The fans negative opinion and distrust of ownership is why attendance is down.  The decimation caused by the Madoff scandal, and the team still teetering on near-bankruptcy is why attendance is down.  The limited operating budget is why attendance is down.  False assurances and empty promises are why.  Five straight losing seasons are why.

Win, and they will come.




Mike

Today For Rising Apple - Curtis Granderson: Season In Review

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Curtis Granderson: Mets Season In Review

Previously:

Catching Up With #1: Michael Conforto

Mike

Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

Today For Rising Apple: 4/25 - The Friday Recap; Mets Flush Marlins 4-3 In 9th

Here's Tonight's Recap For

RisingApple.com

Curtis Granderson's Game Winning Hit In 9th Sinks Fish 4-3

Join me every every week for the Friday Night Recap.

Mike.BTB
Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

Latest For Rising Apple: Weighing Potential Mets Line-Up Alternatives

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

Weighing Potential Mets Line-Up Alternatives

Mike.BTB

Senior Staff Writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Play Ball..!! Opening Day In The Citi

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OPENING DAY RECORD  34-18

Polo Grounds; 0-2

Shea Stadium; 30-15

Citi Field; 4-1

NEW YORK METS

HAPPY OPENING DAY!

The New York Mets lost their only two Opening Days played at the Polo Grounds.  They proceeded to christen Shea Stadium with six more consecutive losses.  The team didn't win their first Opening Day game until 1970, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 5-3 score.

By then, the team finally got this Opening Day thing figured out.  Between 1975 and 1983, the Mets won nine consecutive times.  In all, the Mets rebounded from an 0-6 start in their 2nd park, to finish with a 30-15 record at Shea Stadium.

The Mets head into Monday's game with a 4-1 record in Citi Field home openers, and are riding a two game win streak.  Their lone loss over the last five openers came in 2011, at the hands of their modern arch nemesis, the Miami Marlins.

Dillon Gee has been given the privilege of making this year's Opening Day start.  This will be his first.  He will be the 24th different pitcher in 53 years of Mets history to make this start.

Roger Craig made the first Opening Day start in Mets history.  Al Jackson made the first opening start at Shea Stadium.  Johan Santana started the first opener at Citi Field.

Tom Seaver is credited with the Mets first Opening Day win, and leads the team with 11 starts. Dwight Gooden is second with 8 starts, followed by Tom Glavine and Johan Santana, who started 4 games each.

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Dillon Gee will be facing off against Stephen Strasburg, and the Washington Nationals.  Jon Niese was originally scheduled to make this start, but will begin the season on the disabled list until a fifth starter is needed.  Niese developed discomfort in his shoulder and elbow during spring training, but will apparently be ready when needed around April 6th.

The Washington Nationals are widely regarded as the National League East favorites this season. They've fortified their pitching with the addition of Doug Fister, and have handed the helm over to new rookie manager Matt Williams.

Some of the other interesting developments within the division this season, include the defections of Brian McCann from the Braves to the Yankees, and the problems Atlanta had refortifying their pitching.  Freddie Freeman enters the season as a legitimate MVP candidate, and Craig Kimbrel is a flat out stud.  If they can keep things together, the Braves look to pose the biggest threat to Washington this season.

Ryne Sandberg begins his first season as field manager of the Phillies.  Age is fast becoming an issue in Philadelphia, and I have a sneaky suspicion GM Ruben Amaro will not idly sit by.  I expect him to be active this season, and make some rather unpopular decisions.

Forever young - the Miami Marlins will be improved, and will give the division fits.  They have two very young players in particular, a pitcher and outfielder, who each possess great potential of capturing this season's Cy Young and MVP award respectively.  On a side note, I thought the Mets had it bad, but Miami's ownership is horrific.

In the National League East, I think the Mets and Marlins will be improved enough to prevent the Washington Nationals from running away, and in effect, keeping the Braves alive in the race for first place.  One of the National League's Wild Cards will likely come from this division.  That's where the Mets come in.

The 2014 season was slated to be the time when things began gaining focus at the major league level.  Sandy Alderson's minor league work has been well discussed.  With still much to address and improve upon, I believe, at least the direction in Flushing has been set.  The younger players of the organization are starting to assume their places.  It is a process still trying to gain momentum, but the process has been started nonetheless.

This season, anything less than a .500 record should not be regarded as a step forward.  A wild card?  Perchance to dream...

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Sandy Alderson provided a few surprises in selecting his final 25-man roster.  Most notable, Jenrry Mejia has been declared the 5th starter, which means Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the season in Las Vegas, and provide a first line of insurance for the rotation.

The Mets will start the season with Dillon Gee, Zack Wheeler, Bartolo Colon, and Jenrry Mejia, until Jon Niese joins the rotation next week.  The light schedule allows the Mets go with four pitchers, and utilize an extra bench player until then.

After a poor Grapefruit League performance, reliever Vic Black will also start the season in Las Vegas.  That's a big blow to the bullpen.  When Bobby Parnell's status was still in question, Black was an early candidate to fill the closer's role.  His demotion opened the door for Germen Gonzalez, who was only recently informed he was heading north.

The Mets will begin the season with a bullpen comprised of Bobby Parnell, Jeurys Familia, Scott Rice, John Lannan, Germen Gonzalez, Carlos Torres, and late winter free agent acquisition, Jose Valverde.

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Ike Davis still on the team and playing first base forces Lucas Duda to find playing time in an outfield already riddled with issues.  Duda's innings will no doubt cut into Eric Young's and Juan Lagares' innings.  Then, on the one hand, fans are clamoring for Juan Lagares' defense in centerfield, while on the other hand, fans are faced with Coach Terry's man crush with EYJ at the top of the line-up.

On a side note, in order to get Chris Young signed, Sandy Alderson promised him a starting role. He just didn't promise Young which outfield position.  Now Duda's addition to the outfield mix really makes Coach Terry's positioning a transient matter.

All that said, hello Curtis Granderson.  He adds a complimentary home run threat to the line-up. The Mets ranked near the bottom of most offensive categories last season.  Sandy Alderson is hoping the additions of Granderson and Chris Young, will have positive effects on the line-up, and increases run production.

If solidifying the outfield was Sandy Aderson's major accomplishment of the winter, the fact that Ruben Tejada will start the season at shortstop points to Sandy Alderson's ultimate failure.  To date, he has not, or could not upgrade the position through free agency or a trade.  The Mets additionally lack a minor league shortstop of note, or at least one ready to assume the position any time soon.  Best case scenario - Ruben Tejada provides even a mild surprise.  Omar Quintanilla was awarded a trip north to Flushing as a back-up.

Travis d'Arnaud hit 3 home runs in Grapefruit League play, but only batted .170 in 47 at-bats.  The Mets aren't necessarily interested in power, so much as they want d'Arnaud to be an above average contact hitter.  But, Travis has so far played himself into an after though in pre-season ROY considerations.  The Mets clearly need him to turn things around sooner than later this season.

Still at the heart of all things Mets, is third baseman and team captain, David Wright.  As he goes, so will the Mets.  He is obviously one of the players the Mets can least afford to have go down. But, if the Mets want to keep him on the field, and have him be productive, they'll need to do their part, and start taking better care of him.

Opposing pitchers have routinely thrown at David Wright without fear of consequence.  That must change immediately.  Rules be damned, because the pitcher who beans first, does so with impunity. Part of policing this is Dan Warthen's responsibility, working in concert with his pitchers.  That's where guys like Zack Wheeler and Bartolo Colon (and Matt Harvey) come in.  I believe they are just the types to make that stand, and do what's necessary to protect their players.

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All that's left is to play the games.  The 53rd season of Amazin' baseball starts now.

Let's Go Mets!

Mike.BTB