N.Y. Mets: Dream Rotation Gone Wrong

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE FIVE HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS

The Dominant Rotation That Never Was

Matt Harvey ~ Zack Wheeler ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Noah Syndergaard ~ Steven Matz

2012 - Harvey

2013 - Harvey; Wheeler

2014 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom

2015 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2016 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2017 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2018 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2019 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2020 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

There was a three year window (2015-2017) earmarked for greatness.  Unfortunately it never materialized.  Injuries first and foremost would prevent the Mets from unleashing a full-on assault upon the National League East.  Otherwise there's something to be said for the Mets front office failing to seize the moment.  In fairness, the team won a National League flag in 2015 and qualified for a Wild Card playoff the year after.  Even then, Zack Wheeler missed two full seasons, and Syndergaard one.  In 2017 Syndergaard and Matz would only make 20 starts combined.  Without a reliable number two, Jacob deGrom has essentially been a one man gang.  We fans are left lamenting over what could have been ...

RISE AND FALL OF THE DARK KNIGHT

On July 26, 2012, a 23-year old Matt Harvey makes his major league debut against the Diamondbacks at Arizona.  He throws 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out eleven en route to his first career victory.  Five starts later he strikes out nine Colorado Rockies through six innings at Citi Field.  Three starts later, he strikes out ten Washington Nationals through five innings in front of a now rabid New York fan base.  And just like that, the Dark Knight is born.  The following season Harvey is named the National League's starting pitcher in the 2013 All-Star Game held at Citi Field.  Otherwise he makes 26 regular season starts, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.27 ERA and 0.931 WHiP, while fanning 191 batters over 178.1 innings pitched.  The Dark Knight finishes fourth in the Cy Young voting but not before his sophomore campaign comes to an abrupt end when in late August he is diagnosed with a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow.  He misses the entire 2014 season rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.  Then in what appears to be a promising return to form Harvey helps the Mets win a division title and capture the 2015 National League flag.  He posts a 13-8 record and 2.71 ERA with 188 strikeouts through 189.1 innings pitched.  However his superhero powers prove fleeting.  Midway through the 2016 season Harvey is diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome which requires season ending surgery.  In 2017 the clearly ailing Dark Knight is suspended by the Mets for violation of team rules.  Said another way, he is suspected of blowing off work after a supposed night of partying.  But that winds up being the least of his troubles.  By June Harvey is back on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right shoulder bone requiring yet more surgery.  Finally on May 18, 2018, Matt Harvey is traded to the Cincinnati Reds.  And just like that, the Dark Knight era ends in Flushing.

WHEELIN' DOWN I-95

On June 18, 2013, Zack Wheeler joins Matt Harvey in the Mets rotation.  He finishes his rookie season with a 3.42 ERA in 100 innings pitched.  The next season he posts an 11-11 record and 3.54 ERA, with 187 strikeouts in 185.1 innings pitched.  Unfortunately like Harvey health is not Wheeler's ally.  He misses all of 2015 and 2016 while recovering from both Tommy John surgery and a flexor strain.  Although he returns to the mound in 2017 his efforts are still beset with injury.  Wheeler is twice placed on the injured list and finishes his comeback season with a 5.21 ERA through 86.1 innings pitched.  On Sept. 26, 2019, Wheeler throws his last pitch as a member of the New York Mets at Citi Field.  Seven years after his acquisition from the San Francisco Giants the club allows him to simply walk away.  Although Wheeler last March made it very clear to all that he welcomed free agency and that the organization would need to meet his price, I was hoping against hope the Mets would re-sign him.  The Mets let the regular season play out and apparently were dissatisfied with his performance.  Granted, Zack posted a somewhat unsightly 3.96 ERA and 1.259 WHiP through 195.1 innings pitched.  But despite turning 30-years old this coming May, I believe Wheeler's arm is finally sound and that his best days are still ahead.  Over the last two seasons he's made 60 starts with 374 strikeouts through 377.2 innings pitched.  Fangraphs had his 2018 velocity pegged at 95-mph, while last year's velocity remained steady at 96-mph.  Be that as it may the Mets make him no offer.  Wheeler winds up signing with Philadelphia for $118 million over five seasons.  The general manager within me would have been agreeable negotiating a $100 million package.  However I would have tried chewing him down from the other $18 million.  I'm inclined to believe Wheeler and his agent just to stay in New York would have agreed to a five year $105 million dollar deal.  Lastly, Zack Wheeler I feel is better than any available replacement sans Gerrit Cole.  Simply put, the acquisitions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have yet to sway my opinion regarding the starting rotation having been weakened.

TOTAL deGROMINATION

Jacob deGrom joins Zack Wheeler in the starting rotation on May 15, 2014, at Citi Field.  Alas, Matt Harvey is out recovering from Tommy John surgery.  Jacob knows a thing or two about that.  As a minor leaguer back in 2010 he too suffers the seemingly obligatory partial tear of the UCL and misses the entire 2011 season.  Now two months shy of his 32nd birthday, the seventh year Met is a back-to-back Cy Young award winner, par excellence.  Rookie of the Year; an ERA title; a strikeout title; tying the MLB record with 25 straight starts allowing three or fewer runs; we are witnessing modern day elite.  Problem is when Matt Harvey comes back in 2015 the Mets lose Zack Wheeler for two seasons.  Then in 2017 with both Harvey and Wheeler back on the active roster, Noah Syndergaard is effectively lost for the season.

THOR'S HAMMER YIELDS TO TOMMY JOHN

Noah Syndergaard is going under the blade.  That's right ... Tommy John surgery.  Who didn't see this coming?  A throw-in pitcher as part of the R.A. Dickey/Travis d'Arnaud trade, Syndergaard joins the Mets rotation on May 12, 2015, at Chicago's Wrigley Field.  He makes 24 starts for the National League champs, posting a 3.24 ERA and 166 strikeouts through 150 innings pitched.  He's since been his own worst enemy.  An unsupervised and ruinous workout regimen following the 2016 regular season ends in utter folly.  A torn lat muscle in his arm limits him in 2017 to just seven starts.  When Noah returns in 2018, Matt Harvey is traded signifying the rotation's first permanent casualty.  Then there's the matter of last season, easily Syndergaard's worst.  I'll say it again, the man lacks craftsmanship.  Now this ...

MATZ IN THE MIDDLE

The Mets enter the 2020 season (as if...) with only Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz in the fold.  They've been a constant in the rotation for five seasons now.  Like Syndergaard, Steven Matz debuts in 2015 but only makes six starts.  He joins the rotation in earnest in 2016 posting a 9-8 record and 3.40 ERA through 22 starts.  But arm ailments compromise his 2017 season to the tune of a 6.08 ERA through just 13 starts.  That being said, he presently stands as the only pitcher discussed here to not yet undergo Tommy John surgery.  As the rotation's lone left-hander, Matz is coming off back-to-back seasons with 30 starts.  I think most would agree when I say his biggest problem has always been between the ears.  Therefore the hope for Matz who turns 29-years old in May and entering his physical prime is that he grows into a more composed, mature, and polished hurler.

N.Y. Mets: Rotation Weaker Without Zack Wheeler

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Although Zack Wheeler last March made it very clear to all that he welcomed free agency and that the club would need to meet his price, I was hoping against hope the Mets would re-sign him.

In turn the Mets let the regular season play out and apparently were dissatisfied with his performance.  Granted, Zack posted a somewhat unsightly 3.96 ERA and 1.259 WHiP through 195.1 innings pitched.  However, despite turning 30-years old this coming May, I believe health is finally on Wheeler's side and that his best days are still ahead.  Over the last two seasons he's made 60 starts with 374 strikeouts through 377.2 innings pitched.  Fangraphs had his 2018 velocity pegged at 95-mph, while last year's velocity remained steady at 96-mph.  Be that as it may the Mets made him no offer, qualifying or otherwise, electing instead to let him walk.

Wheeler signed with Philadelphia for $118 million over five seasons.  The general manager within me would have been agreeable negotiating a one hundred million package.  However I would have tried chewing him down from the other $18 million.  I'm inclined to believe Wheeler and his agent just to stay in New York would have agreed to a five year $105 million dollar deal.

Moreover, Zack Wheeler at the time I feel was better than any available replacement sans Gerrit Cole.  Simply put, the acquisitions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have yet to sway my opinion, which is the starting rotation has been weakened.

Starting Depth: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz, Michael Wacha.

vs.

Impacting the N.L. East: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman, and adding Rick Porcello.

Of course, I could be wrong.

But I doubt it.

A Most Metsian Time of the Year Holiday Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

Greg Prince of 

FaithAndFearInFlushing.com

sixty-seven minutes

Peace on Earth

N.Y. Mets: Flushing Four Offer Diamondbacks No Quarter

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS

TURN AWAY DIAMONDBACKS

Sure, life can be a box of chocolates.  But everything still comes with a grain of salt.

Flip back the calendar to Tuesday, Aug. 20, when the Mets schedule takes a sharp turn down the boulevard of playoff contenders.  They've posted a 12-10 record over their last 22 games, and are presently in the midst of a four game winning streak via a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks (an Arizona team I feel worth mentioning no longer featuring Zack Greinke nor Paul Goldschmidt).

By close of business Thursday, the Cubs and Brewers are tied for the second wild card, while the Mets and Phillies are likewise tied two games back with only 16 games left in the season.

Being this close this late leaves us no choice but to believe.  The Mets are proving themselves to be the most wild of variables in this race because of their starting pitching.  Through four games they limit a formerly surging Arizona team to just four total runs:

• GM1 - Jacob deGrom: one earned run on just three hits and one walk with eleven strikeouts through seven innings.
• GM2 - Zack Wheeler: one earned run on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings.
• GM3 - Steven Matz: no runs on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts through six innings pitched.
• GM4 - Marcus Stroman: one run on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched.

• TOTAL: three earned runs on 17 hits through 26.1 innings for a 1.03 ERA, with ten walks and 19 strikeouts.

• BULLPEN: one earned run on six hits through 11.2 innings for a 0.98 ERA, with three walks and eight strikeouts.

Sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks at this juncture in their season is commendable.  But there's an old saying: If you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best.  That being said here come the west leading Los Angeles Dodgers whom own a National League best 95-53 record.  They are the first MLB club this season to clinch their division.  The occasion also marks their seventh consecutive N.L. West flag.

That's one division title more than the Mets have won in their entire history.

Amazin' Grilling with Jeff Cohen's Baseball And BBQ on another Metsian Poodcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SUMMERTIME

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

WITH GUEST

Jeff Cohen 

of Baseball and BBQ Podcast

94 minutes

STUFF

Twins Series ~ Trade Deadline ~ Brodie Scuttlebutt

Zack Wheeler ~ Edwin Diaz

Pete Alonso ~ Robinson Cano ~ Amed Rosario

Todd Frazier ~ Dom Smith ~ Juan Lagares ~ Brandon Nimmo

The Core ~ Mike Vail ~ and so much more!

N.Y. Mets: No Fielding, No Pitching, No Dice

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Come Get Us!

Come get the fourth best team in the N.L. East!  Because for all Brodie Van Wagenen's maneuverings that's exactly what the Mets are.  As the summer solstice nears the Mets are closer to last place than first.  The all encompassing question is why?  We know the reasons are myriad, convoluted, and in certain instances uncommonly depressing.  Allow me then to merely scratch the surface with mention of three of the more glaring inefficiencies afflicting the 2019 Mets.


I - FIELDING

• Despite handling the National League's sixth least total chances, the Mets easily lead the circuit with 54 errors.  As such they rank last in fielding percentage (.980) and second to last (.678) in defensive efficiency ratio.
• Meanwhile base runners run circles around them.  The Mets allow the most stolen bases.  Opposing base runners are successful 86% of the time.  In turn they throw out the fourth least base runners.  Wilson Ramos has thrown out just eight would be base thieves versus 54 successful attempts for a rate of 13% which is less than half than league average (27.5%).  Tomas Nido is 0 for 5 in stolen base attempts.  However equal blame falls on the starting pitchers for their woeful inability to hold runners.
• Wilson Ramos has also allowed the second most passed balls (7), and is now just three away from his career high of ten.  Ramos (4) and Nido (2) account for six errors.  Pete Alonso (5) is tied for second most errors among first basemen.  Amed Rosario (11) is tied for most errors among shortstops.  Todd Frazier (6) and J.D. Davis (4) have combined on ten errors which ties Atlanta's Josh Donaldson (10) for most errors at third base.  That's four infield positions accounting for 59.2% of Mets errors.
• To a lesser extent the outfield has only seven errors to speak of spread among five players.  Three different players have joined for seven errors at second base; Robinson Cano has committed four.

II - PITCHING

As a team Mets pitchers have thrown the second most pitches in the National League and the seventh most in baseball.  They own the National League's third worst ERA (4.67), yield the fourth most hits (656), and own the fifth worst WHiP (1.36).  Slash wise, the Mets .256 average against is fourth worst/.326 OBP sixth worst/.433 slugging sixth worst/.760 opposing OPS fifth worst.

 A) THE BULLPEN

Twenty different pitchers have manned the Mets bullpen this season.  Collectively, they've thrown roughly 252 innings - which roughly accounts for 38% of all Mets innings pitched - in which they've yielded 155 runs for a 5.53 ERA.  Of the five relief pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched only Seth Lugo owns an ERA below three.

• Jeurys Familia - 27.2 inn; 7.81 ERA.
• Drew Gagnon - 20 inn; 7.65 ERA.
• Robert Gsellman - 39.1 inn; 4.81 ERA.
• Edwin Diaz - 28.2 inn; 3.77 ERA.
• Seth Lugo - 34.1 inn; 2.36 ERA.
• Wilmer Font and the Fearful Fourteen account for 102.2 innings and a 7.22 ERA.

• The Mets have had the third most (33) save opportunities but only converted 17 for tenth most.  Said another way they're blowing 49.5% of their save opportunities.

 B) THE STARTERS

On the positive side, the starting rotation has stayed relatively injury free.  Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, and Jason Vargas, have combined to start 70 of the Mets 74 games to date.  Prior to Thursday's (terrible) start by Walter Lockett, only Justin Wilson and Wilmer Font were asked to make four spot starts.
Although Jacob deGrom hasn't necessarily picked up where he left off last year he's pitching very well nonetheless.  He seems to be battling himself more than anything, and throughout the season has appeared noticeably angry be it with himself or otherwise.  He is still the staff ace ace and the rotation stabilizer.  No issues here. 

Jason Vargas is easily the surprise performer of the season if not the Mets second best starter to date.  And there's the rub.  How is it that he should be outperforming Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz?  Yet, he is doing just that with a 3.74 ERA through 12 appearances and 11 starts and a rotation best .240 batting average against. 

It's a good thing, too.  The Mets are still a team built around starting pitching.  And so far three of their top four starters have yet to fulfill expectations.

• Noah Syndergaard indeed possesses the talents of a Nordic god.  That's what makes him and his 4.55 ERA so damn frustrating.  The man lacks refinement, or more to the point, craftsmanship.  Instead, he continually looks to lower the hammer.  With 98-mph fastballs more a norm throughout baseball and no longer the exception, where then is the novelty of velocity without deception and effective situational application?  He's not fooling anyone.  Despite 93 strikeouts, he's allowed 91 hits (8.6 H/9) and eleven home runs through 95 innings.  The opposition is slashing .253/.304/.398/.703 against him.  He also leads the staff with 15 stolen bases against him.  Pencil him onto the list of team underachievers.

• Zack Wheeler is not having the type of walk season I nor perhaps he anticipated.  With health finally on his side, I predicted a great season ahead.  Through 15 starts and 94.2 innings pitched, Zack Wheeler's ERA this season has yet to dip below three.  He presently sports a staff high 4.94 ERA having yielded 14 home runs to date.  He has surrendered two home runs in a game five times.  The first time occurred in April.  The last four times have come in his last six starts.  Like Syndergaard, Wheeler isn't fooling anyone.  He is allowing more hits than innings pitched.  As such he has allowed a league high 52 earned runs.  Back in spring training Wheeler took a hard line against the Mets indicating his desire to test free agency and that his price would be firm.  The Mets publicly said they were willing to let the season play itself out and revisit the situation then.  There is much to appreciate about Zack Wheeler which will potentially make him the Mets main trading chip come deadline time ... or not.

• Steven Matz biggest problem remains between his ears.  It's all mental with this guy.  His lack of composure jumps out like a jack-in-the box.  His long ball woes are even greater than that of Wheeler's.  Matz who on average has 20 less innings pitched than Syndergaard, deGrom, and Wheeler, has surrendered a staff high 15 home runs in just 73 innings.  Matz likewise has yielded more hits than innings pitched.  After 14 starts he owns a 4.28 ERA with a rotation high 1.37 WHiP.

All this being said, Dave Eiland was relieved as pitching coach on Thursday.  Phil Regan now takes over while Rickey Bones returns for a second stint as bullpen coach.  That's fine and well, but what the Mets need is talent.  Brodie Van Wagenen can shuttle this present collection of pitchers back and forth between Syracuse and Flushing all he wants.  But nothing will change until he imports higher quality talent.  That in turn (like most things Mets) entails a discussion reserved for a future post  involving the team's COO.


III - POTHOLES and PITFALLS

The Mets are presently on an 11-game road trip.  They've already dropped two of three at Atlanta, and lost Thursday's series opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.  That drops their road record to 15-26 (.365) on the season.  They're also 12-13 in one run games.  Like kryptonite, the N.L. Central continues having a crippling effect on the Mets.  This has been going a few years now.  While the Mets own a 19-15 record against their division opponents, they are 5-13 against N.L. Central likes of the Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, and Cubs.  They're 7-9 against the N.L. West.

Of course this is merely the beginning.  The Mets have more problems than a math book.  For now, these are just some of the reasons why I believe the Mets presently find themselves five games under .500 through their first 75 games of the season.  My next round of reasons will include position players, Mickey Callaway, Brodie Van Wagenen, and you guessed it ... the Wilpons.  After which I'll delve into possible remedies for this sickness we call Mets baseball.

Stay tuned ...

#LGM

Another Post Subway Series Metsian Podcast Production

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

2006 NLCS

Yadier Molina's Home Run Into The New York Night

Oh, The Pain!

Preview: Mets vs. Cardinals

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Subway Series Review

Zack Wheeler ~ Anthony Kay ~ Jason Vargas

Pete Alonso ~ Amed Rosario ~ Jeff McNeil

John Milner ~ Bobby Jones ~ Daniel Murphy

Endy Chavez, and so much more..!

73 minutes

Subway Series: Battle at Bronx Ends in Draw

From the desks of:  

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

SUBWAY SERIES

Mets/Yanks Double-Header Draw

I - NYY 12; NYM 5

II - NYM 10; NYY 4

The Mets now sport a 14-23 record on the road.  They needed to sweep Tuesday's twin-bill in order to rise above the elusive .500 mark.  As such, they remain a game under par heading into their four game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A season ago first baseman Pete Alonso was still a minor leaguer.  In game two on Tuesday Alonso his his 22nd home run of the season.  He is now four home runs shy of Darryl Strawberry's club record for most home runs to start a season by a rookie.  He just also happens to be second in all the National League in home runs.  Through 65 games played, he is slashing .254/.337/.596, with 49 RBI through 240 at-bats.

After 13 starts and 84 innings pitched through Tuesday's losing effort at Yankee Stadium Zack Wheeler's ERA sits at a 4.61 mark.  At no time this season has his ERA ever dipped below three.  And for only the second time this season he failed to pitch into the fifth inning.  Wheeler yielded 13 runs over 28.1 innings for a 4.16 ERA in his four starts previous to Tuesday.  Tasked with pitching game one at Yankee Stadium, Wheeler surrendered nine runs (five earned) on ten hits and one walk with six strikeouts.  He allowed two more home runs, making it 13 for the season.  It marks the fifth time this season he has allowed two home runs in a game.  It's also the third straight start, and fourth start in his last five in which he's allowed two home runs in a game.

*                *                  *

Coupled with Tampa's loss against the A's, at least the Yankees were able to reestablish a tie for first place along side the Tampa Rays.  Both teams now sport identical 41-25 records.  The Red Sox meanwhile are still floundering in third place a game above .500 with a 34-33 record.

A season ago catcher Gary Sanchez was getting ridden out out town.  In game one on Tuesday Gary Sanchez hit his 20th home run of the season.  He went 3 for 5 with three RBI.  Despite missing 18 games this season, he is slashing .268/.337/.628, with 40 RBI through 183 at-bats.  After leading the American League the last two seasons in passed balls, he has yielded but four to date.  That said, I've heard nary one complaint about his all season.

A Golden Era Metsian Podcast with Uncle Stan the New York Giants Fan

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

With Guest:

UNCLE STAN 

the NEW YORK GIANTS FAN

Yes, Sam's Uncle Stan!

I was enthralled both listening and speaking with him,

and I'm sure you'll enjoy Stan's baseball anecdotes, as well.

Ninety-Five Minutes

STUFF

NEW YORK GIANTS

Mets vs. Phillies

Rivalry ~ Jacob Rhame vs. Ryhs Hoskins ~ Head Hunting

Gio Gonzalez ~ Mets Money ~ Dallas Keuchel

Jason Vargas ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Zack Wheeler

Amed Rosario ~ Mickey Callaway

Jesus Alou ~ Doug Flynn ~ Bernard Gilkey ~ Matt den Dekker

and so much more..!

N.Y. Mets: Zack Wheeler Serves Up Phillies Flambe

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Competitive Aprils Lead to Contending Summers

Series tied 1-1

I - NYM 5; PHI 1

II - NYM 9; PHI 0

III - WEDNESDAY

New York Mets: Look Who's Number One ... For Now!

Far too often these early season showdowns go under spoken.  For instance both the Mets and Phillies entered Tuesday's game sporting rather unremarkable 12-10 records.  Thing is they entered Tuesday's game tied for first place - exactly where fans want to be.

I always say you can't win pennants in April, but you sure can lose them.  As the month draws to a close, the Mets and Phils now have five game between them.  Therefore I say this series is no longer a potential preview of this season's race for the National League East title.  This in fact is the race for the division flag.

The Phils, Nationals, and Braves have all demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt, that every game will matter greatly.

Record vs. N.L. East

• WAS: 3-3
• ATL:  2-2
• PHI:   3-2
• MIA:  3-0

This just tells me this division is up for grabs.  There will be little margin for error come September - assuming all teams stay reasonably healthy.  Should that turn out being the case, expect a fight to the finish.

The Mets defeated the Phils to gain a tie for first place on Monday.  On Tuesday the Mets again defeated the Phillies to secure a series victory, and move into sole possession of first place.

The Zack Wheeler I've been anticipating all spring finally showed up.  Making his fifth start of the season, the Mets looming free agent pitched a gem, while consistently popping the radar gun from 98mph to the century mark.  He threw 105 pitches with 74 (70%) going for strikes, while allowing just five hits and no walks through seven scoreless innings with eleven strikeouts for his second victory of the season.  Wheeler was also 2 for 3 at the plate, with a double, home run, and three RBI.

Luis Avilan and Jacob Rhame joined in pitching two scoreless innings of no hit ball in relief of Wheeler to complete the Mets 9-0 whitewashing of Philadelphia.

Robinson Cano and Michael Conforto each posted multi-hit games.  In only his second game back from injury Todd Frazier connected on a grand slam in the fifth inning.

Philadelphia's Bryce Harper is 0 for 5 thus far in the series with four strikeouts, an ejection in game one, and an all around bad attitude.

See ... baseball games in April are fun, but they matter too. A little bit of bad blood doesn't hurt either.

N.Y. Mets: Starters Make Opening Pitch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

FOUR HURLERS of the METROPOLIS

Jacob deGrom  Noah Syndergaard  Zack Wheeler  Steven Matz

New York Mets: First Time Around the Rotation.

The starting rotation completed its first turn around the loop Tuesday evening at Miami.  Jacob deGrom faced off against Nationals ace Max Scherzer in last Thursday's season opener at Washington where fans were treated to an old school duel.  Both pitchers would achieve double-digit strikeouts.  But it was deGrom whom would emerge victorious.  Last year's National League Cy Young award recipient allowed just five hits and a walk over six scoreless innings, while striking out ten.

Noah Syndergaard opposed Stephen Strasburg on Saturday, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and four walks, while fanning seven en route to a no-decision.  This was typical Thor blowing through his pitch count by the sixth.  All told he threw 103 pitches with no regard for pacing.  He again seems content throwing as hard as he can for as long as he can.  Watching two-strike pitch after two-strike pitch get fouled off is sometimes numbing.  Which is to say he still has trouble putting batters away, which I think may be a matter of craftsmanship.  Perhaps he needs to spend less time feuding with Mr. Met and putting in more work perfecting an out-pitch.

Zack Wheeler didn't nearly experience the success I was anticipating.  He blew through 95 pitches in just five innings of work against the Nationals on Sunday, in which he allowed four earned runs on six hits, a walk, with seven strikeouts.  But like Syndergaard, he escaped with a no-decision.  I'm a big believer in Wheeler.  And now that deGrom has been signed to a contract, locking up Zack - a looming free agent - should be the club's next priority.  Last year's second-half performance speaks volumes to me.  However, the Mets appear geared for a game of chicken ... which I believe is a mistake.

Steven Matz pitched Monday's series opener at Miami to mixed results.  He threw 74 pitches with an efficient 54 (71%) going for strikes.  But could have used some help as he allowed three earned runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks, with three strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched.

And then there's Jason Vargas ... the Mets de facto number five starter.  He somehow wins 18 games for Kansas City in 2017 with an American League acceptable 4.16 ERA.  But last season gets off to a terrible start in first season with the Mets.  But from Aug.2 right through to the end of the season, Vargas lowered his ERA by over two and one-half points from 8.36 down to 5.77, while winning five of his last even starts.  He took the mound on Tuesday in game two against the Marlins.  His line reads friendlier than his actual performance.  Vargas allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk, with two strikeouts through five innings for the victory.

FIRST TIME THROUGH METS ROTATION

• Starts: 5
• Record: 2-0
• Innings: 27.1
• ERA: 3.56
• Hits Allowed: 32
• Walks: 7
• WHiP: 1.439
• Strikeouts: 29

Up next: Take Two.

N.Y. Mets: Ownership's Action Will Speak Louder Than Brodie's Word

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

PETE ALONSO

Only the Business of Baseball Can Delay His MLB Debut Now

New York Mets: When Fantasy and Reality Collide ...

In a blizzard of front office appointments and player transactions during his first off-season as general manager of the Mets, Brodie Van Wagenen has boldly transformed both the face and narrative of the organization.  But the change in seasons is now upon him.  As Citi Field's axis begins leaning towards the sun and Opening Day nears, his winter wonder land comes under threat of spring's thaw.

Through his ultra positive posturing Brodie may just have painted himself into a corner in a number of ways as the realities of ownership's past practice and propensity for business as usual potentially (hypothetically) come into play.

Despite his assurances regarding the team's 25 best players heading north to Queens, if ownership lets business get in the way by exercising their collectively bargained right to manipulate Pete Alonso's service time, BVW will then be thrust into the role of hypocritical team apologist - a media/PR maelstrom waiting to happen.  In the meantime, Pete Alonso continues to astound.  As of Saturday, he was slashing .375/.403/.641/1.044, with five doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, through 20 Grapefruit League games and 64 at-bats.  On Sunday he tripled off the right/center field wall in his first at-bat.  Therefore, only the business side of baseball can delay his MLB debut now.

Then there's Brodie's insistence about the Mets being committed to winning; winning now; next year; and for years to come.  Truth be told, teams throughout major league baseball are in the midst of signing and securing their young controllable talent to multi-year representative market contract extensions.  The Mets on the other hand have yet to extend a single one of their core players.  Considerations for Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Michael Conforto, and perhaps even Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo, at the present time appear nonexistent.  Moreover, for all his off-season transactions BVW has raised payroll only marginally, if at all.  And so the onus remains on ownership to prove fans (me) wrong.  Unfortunately for him, it's Brodie's reputation at stake; it is he who risks becoming ownership's latest fall guy.

Another Metsian Winter Storm Podcast With Guest Greg Prince

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING SPECIAL

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Featured Guest

Greg Prince

Author, and Proprietor of

Faith and Fear in Flushing.com 

Host: Rich

Time: 80-minutes

 

STUFF

Bryce Harper Wants to Bring a Championship to D.C.

Insanity ~ Scott Boras ~ Market Maker

Balance of Power in N.L. East ~ Quality vs. Quantity

Ty Kelly ~ Carlos Gomez ~ Dom Smith ~ Jeff McNeil

Where's the Money ~ Shaking Brodie's Pom Poms

Sam's Rant ~ My Rant 

Todd Frazier ~ Injuries ~ Jed Lowrie

Roster Depth ~ Veterans vs. Ifs

Starting Rotation's Last Hurrah ~ Zack Wheeler's Walk Year

Jason Vargas ~ Center Field ~ and so much more..!

N.Y. Mets Starting Rotation Pitching Front Office High and Tight

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE FOUR HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS

deGROM  ~  SYNDERGAARD  ~  WHEELER  ~  MATZ

New York Mets: Starting rotation putting the squeeze on team finances.

Mincing no words and leaving little open for discussion, three of the Mets top starting pitchers have made their positions clear.

In very certain terms, Jacob deGrom wants an extension done before Opening Day, or have the matter revisited no earlier than season's end.  He made a huge mistake along the way, I believe, when intimating about the potential of withhold innings pitched through the course of the upcoming season.  Whether he meant it or not; or if it was just him allowing his agent to control the narrative; that was something better left unsaid.  I'm also somewhat surprised there wasn't a greater backlash from media and fans.  I presume that's because he's overwhelmingly perceived as the good guy.  Despite the club having two more years of control over deGrom, the onus nonetheless appears on the club to secure their fine upstanding, Cy Young award winning ace.

Be sure Noah Syndergaard, and Zack Wheeler in particular, are paying very close attention to deGrom's negotiations (or lack thereof).  Some of their Spring Training comments already seem to be complicating matters for the Mets.  Syndergaard - although under team control through the 2021 season - says he would very confidently shop his talents on the free agent market if put in that position.  Next year he becomes arbitration eligible, which means the countdown of his skyrocketing cost to the Mets begins now.  Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler most recently made it known any forthcoming deal would need come at his price, be it from the Mets or any other club, and that it's non-negotiable.

How Brodie Van Wagenen handles these forthcoming negotiations should prove quite illuminating insofar as ownership's financially competitive viability.  Always in question ... money continues being an issue because they continue making it an issue.  A scenario was recently brought to my attention (by @HowardMegdal on Twitter in response to a post I wrote last February regarding ownership's outstanding debt) in which it's possible the Wilpons are not necessarily paying down their debt, but instead are merely paying the interest, which may be deemed permissible if a judge decides they posses requisite assets capable of covering said outstanding debt - which they indeed do in form of the Mets and SNY.  But unless some reporter/writer or media outlet actually reports that, this is strictly hearsay and scuttlebutt.  In the mean time, I stand by my post which contains nothing more than what has already been reported by news sources (all linked).  In any event, something is going on and we fans are on to it.

Wheeler is entering his contract year.  He becomes eligible for free agency at year's end.  Brodie and the Mets have already stated they require more than last year's second half performance with which to base a contract offer.  They want Wheeler demonstrating consistent effectiveness over the course of a full season.  It's a fair position to take considering Wheeler's injury history.  But if last year's second half performance is any indication, the strategy can easily backfire in the Mets face.  At that point, why wouldn't Wheeler opt for free agency?  At the very least the Mets can rule out any preferential treatment, I'm sure.

N.Y. Mets: Zack Wheeler Poised for Breakout Season

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING

New York Mets: A Breakout Season By Zack Wheeler Will Surely Add To Front Office Troubles.

Acquired by the Mets in exchange for Carlos Beltran midway through the 2012 season, Zack Wheeler is one of the longest tenured players on the team.  However, only now does he finally appear physically able, and thus poised to validate being selected sixth overall by the Giants in the 2009 draft, but more importantly establishing himself as a top tier National League pitcher while still in a Mets uniform.

In the meantime, Wheeler's report card is incomplete.  After making 17 starts in 2013 as a rookie, he followed up in 2014 with a career high 32 starts.  He would then unfortunately miss the entirety of both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, before returning in 2017 to make 17 starts.

Zack now faces a career defining, if not career altering season ahead.  With free agency looming it appears as if everything is indeed riding on this upcoming season's performance.

Last year, Zack Wheeler pitched 182.1 innings through 29 starts:

• 12-7 record
• 3.31 ERA and 1.124 WHiP
• 3.25 FIP
• 7.4 H/9 average
• 2.7 W/9 average
• * all career bests

However, it's Wheeler's performance over the second half of last season which best suggests he's truly onto something big.  According to Fangraphs, Zack's velocity in 2018 was back up to 2014 levels (pre-Tommy John surgery).


2018 FIRST HALF (April-June)

• 88.2 innings through 15 starts
• 2-6 record
• 4.48 ERA and 1.315 WHiP
• 84 hits; 8.5 H/9 average
• 32 walks; 3.2 W/9 average
• 86 strikeouts; 8.7 K/0 average

2018 SECOND HALF (July-Sept)

• 93.2 innings through 14 starts
• 10-1 record
• 2.22 ERA and 0.933 WHiP
• 64 hits; 6.1 H/9 average
• 23 walks; 2.2 W/9 average
• 93 strikeouts; 8.9 K/9

The second half numbers speak for themselves.  He additionally pitched seven innings or more ten times over his final 14 starts of the season, but only four times over his first 15 starts of the season.  Therefore all indications point to Wheeler being fully healthy, but more importantly thoroughly recovered.

If only things were that clear cut ...

Like Jacob deGrom, Wheeler's age entering free agency is potentially putting him at a slight disadvantage as teams no longer seem willing to commit long term to players beyond 32-years of age (or so).  Zack Wheeler turns 29-years old in May.  If he turns in the type of season I'm excitedly anticipating, the Mets will have yet another potential ace-caliber pitcher on their hands in search of representative dollar figures in which a three year offer may not suffice.

N.Y. Mets: The We Just Want Meaningful Conversation in September Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Partner @MetFanRich and I bring you a 

wide ranging and very straight forward Metsian discussion.

1 hour, 18 minutes

 

STUFF

California fool's gold rush ~ Bobby Ojeda ~ Home Run Baker

PON vs. Son of PON ~ Omar Minaya ~ scouting vs. analytics

Pitching ~ Pitching ~ Pitching

DeGrom's streak ~ Thor's Hammer ~ The Wonder Wheeler ~ Dwight Gooden

Terry Collins ~ Bullpen ~ Closer ~ What Inning Limits?

Mickey Callaway ~ Dave Eiland ~ Wally Backman ~ Frank Viola

Home Run Baker ~ Tim Foli ~ Ryan Church ~ gambling ~ The Black Sox

Pragmatism ~ more Cy Young talk ... and so much more!

N.Y. Mets: Steven Matz Running Out of Elbow Room

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

An Athlete's Best Ability is Their Availability

New York Mets: Familiar Place for a Familiar Face; Steven Matz Returns to Disabled List for Fifth Time in Four Years.

Steven Matz is 5-9 with a 4.35 ERA, to date.  A career high 3.4 W/9 paired with 103 hits allowed through 107.2 innings give him a 1.337 WHiP, while an 8.3 K/9 is on par with his career average. 
It's true he still pouts when games do not go his way.  Numbers aside, however, we know when healthy and focused he is measurably better than his line reflects.

Or so we think ...

He is also one game away from tying his career high of 22 starts set in 2016, his first full season with the Mets.  That year, Matz goes 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.209 WHiP, with 129 strikeouts.

This season, Matz gets his ERA down to a season low 3.31 as recently as his July 7 start against Tampa.  However, over his next three starts Matz surrenders twelve earned runs in 17.1 innings for an unsightly 6.31 ERA.  Then comes his most recent start at Washington, in which he fails to pitch out of the first inning, surrendering another seven earned runs on eight hits and a walk. 

That takes place the day of the non-waiver trade deadline thus inspiring me to ponder whether Matz in the process spent the previous month scaring off prospective shoppers.  After all, the Pirates, Yankees, Red Sox and others demonstrated pitching was very much in demand.

Although the Mets say they're taking an overly conservative approach with regard to Matz' latest setback, the fact remains: this is the fifth time in four seasons Steven is being placed on the disabled list.  And for a third straight occurrence, a defective elbow is to blame.

If not already, then his unavailability is fast becoming his most glaring liability.  Here we are back to playing a game of wait and see what his future holds, again.  This situation further exemplifies a recurring condition particular to the Mets fans: when does hope end, and exasperation begin?  As such, there's something to be said for both reliability and durability.  The emergence of Zack Wheeler certainly brings that of Matz into question.  He is still only 27-years old and under Mets control till 2022.  Although Matz is not likely getting pushed out the door any time soon, I would argue his future with the club should be influenced by potential suitors - or lack thereof - this coming off-season.

N.Y. Mets: Trading Starting Pitching Now is Counterproductive

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Non-Waiver Trade Deadline

New York Mets: Three-Headed Monster Must Avoid Boondoggle of Amazin Proportion.

What's done is done.  Beyond parting with Jeurys Familia and Asdrubal Cabrera, I do not trust the Mets front office in its present state to transact much else.  If the "three headed monster" can relocate Jerry Blevins, Devin Mesoraco, Jose Bautista, etc., in exchange for warm bodies before Tuesday's deadline, fine.  Otherwise, the Mets must first reconcile their general manager situation, then let him/her figure things out.

Is trading Jacob deGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard the quickest way to restock the farm system with talent?  Perhaps.  But let someone else make that decision; someone with a plan.  Because at this very moment the Mets lack a clear and cohesive one, and the last thing any of us need on our hands is a Metsian boondoggle of Amazin proportion.  That's why I rather any talk of trading deGrom, Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, or Steven Matz, be revisited at a time well after Tuesday's non-waiver deadline, if at all.

Am I opposed to trading them?

No, for as long as I feel the plan is sound and the person implementing it garners results.

Truth be told, however, the club is in a bind.  They are financially committed to Todd Frazier for another season, and Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes for two more seasons.  At this juncture, it makes little sense leaving the team bereft of quality starters.  Unless the Mets are willing to eat the remaining monies owed Frazier and Bruce for sake of clearing out playing space for younger replacements, it appears as if the Mets hands are tied.  Therefore breaking up this pitching staff now may prove counterproductive.

N.Y. Mets: The Summer Solstice METSian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

East Side, West Side, everybody is going mad.  It's only the first day of Summer, yet the media, fans, and the organization itself are already contemplating another rebuild.  This is certainly a ponderous and somewhat unexpected state of affairs.  Sam, Rich and I discussed the merits and folly of such thinking, and if in fact the Mets can get themselves healthy and straightened out before the trade deadline.  Until then the emergence of Brandon Nimmo begs the question: is he a legitimate all-star candidate?  However there's no debating Jacob deGrom's credentials.  Despite the Mets present standing, his stellar season did not go under-spoken.




We left no stone un-turned.  When I host, I like taking things from the top and working my way down the ladder.  Thus we kicked the show off with the Rockies series, then delved into some unsightly team numbers and the standings.  From there we jumped into the starting rotation and bullpen.  Of course, there was no avoiding the 800-pound gorilla in the room - blowing up the team and potentially trading Jacob deGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard.  We shook our pom-poms for Brandon Nimmo and Asdrubal Cabrera, and had or customary fun reminiscing over players who've worn number twelve.  Lastly, we spent a few minutes speaking about the 1912 Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and New York Highlanders.

Showtime: 90 minutes

N.Y. Mets: Zack Wheeler Deals Las Vegas Winning Hand

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Zack Wheeler missed all of 2015 and 2016, then returned to make 17 starts last season for the Mets.  During the off-season, Zack reportedly was taking injections to his stomach in order to improve bone strength.

The Mets wound up optioning Zack Wheeler to Las Vegas after a brutal Grapefruit League performance, in which he surrendered 22 hits and posted an 8.10 ERA and 2.40 WHiP through just ten innings of work.  Zack otherwise struck out 14 batters while walking just two, but not before Dave Eiland offered a rather harsh critique of his overall situation.  The Mets pitching coach essentially said the time for evaluating Wheeler based on his potential is done - the time for providing major league results has come.

That said, Wheeler made his first start of the season for the Las Vegas 51's against the El Paso Chihuahuas this past Friday at Cashman Field.  Zack threw 80 pitches with 56 going for strikes (70%).  He surrendered just one earned run (home run) on three hits and a walk, and fanned six batters through five innings of work to claim his, and the 51's first victory of the season.

*          *          *

I'll be keeping a close eye on 24-year old third baseman David Thompson this season.  He's on a trajectory to replace Todd Frazier when the free agent acquisition's two year contract expires at the end of the 2019 season.  Thompson played a full season at Binghamton last year, where he slashed .263/.325/.429, with 29 doubles, 16 home runs and 68 RBI through 476 at-bats.  In 2016, he posted 96 total RBI in just 116 games and 432 at-bats during a season split between Savannah and Port St. Lucie.