NO PARKING III

NO PARKING  I

NO PARKING II

Don't Mistake The Message

Between having to scan for cavernous potholes; drivers ed students; ear-plug wearing pedestrians with their faces buried in phone; entitled cyclists; idiots swinging open car doors; bouncing balls followed by the kid undoubtedly chasing it; the confusing menagerie of traffic signs; and just plain old random acts of recklessness; negotiating a vehicle through the streets of Brooklyn requires the visual sense of a spider.

For the most part, people do a fairly decent job of processing the overwhelming stimuli offered by our streets ... some not so much.  I'd rather not bother with those who move out to New Jersey and Pennsylvania that upon returning to Brooklyn forget how to slow down and break-out in a rash at every stop sign and red light.

In any event, all road trips must come to an end.  That's when the next adventure begins.  Parking spaces are akin to urban gold, and sometimes prospecting poses great potential danger.  The battle for space is fierce, and sometimes boundaries aren't so clearly defined.  But make no mistake: borderlines surely exist and will be defended in Civil War-like manner.  It matters not from what corner of the planet you come, or what language you speak.  Throughout Brooklyn, the message is very clear.  Albeit, some convey it better than others.

The Power of Three ...

And when three signs aren't enough ...

WHAT!?!?

A Few Years Shy of a Century ... A Veritable Landmark

There's yet hope for humanity ...

NO MEANS NO!

N.Y. Rangers: My Kingdom for a Center

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

TRADE DEADLINE:

Jeff Gorton has jettisoned in excess of 15 players within the last year 

in return for 13 players/prospects and a near equal number of draft picks.

• Mats Zuccarello traded to Dallas for two conditional draft picks
• Kevin Hayse traded to Winnipeg for Brendan Lemieux; 2019 #1 pick; 2022 conditional #4 pick.
• Adam McQuaid traded to Columbus for Julius Bergman; 2019 #4 pick; 2019 #7 pick.

New York Rangers: Jeff Gorton wraps up round two of the purge; with newly accumulated assets in hand, he must now seek out, secure, and build around a legitimate first line center.

One championship in 79-years ... Rangers fans know it all too well.  

In 1994, the Rangers snapped what was then a 54-year drought.  The Stanley Cup itself was hoisted up in triumph by a legitimate first line center named Mark Messier.  Sadly, another 25-years have elapsed without winning another.  Not coincidentally, the team has likewise remained hopelessly in search of their next first line center, to no avail.

How do teams go about obtaining one of these so called first line centers?

In the Rangers case, they were fortunate enough in 1991 to acquire by trade a 31-year old future hall of fame center from the Edmonton Oilers.  Previous to Mark Messier, fans need to rewind all the way back to Phil Esposito - another hall of fame, first line, albeit aging center acquired by trade from the Boston Bruins - whom in 1979 led the club to the Stanley Cup finals, only to meet defeat against the dynastic Montreal Canadiens.

Otherwise, first line centers are drafted.  But unless you're selecting first or second overall - outside of the rare wunderkind slipping through the cracks - odds are you're still not securing a legitimate two way first line threat.  In order to be in that position, a team must really, really, suck ... and not just for one season, but two, or three seasons of complete and utter toilet worthy play.

Here are just a few examples:

• Between the years 2003 through 2006, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost upwards of 65% of their games.  In 2004, they selected Evgeni Malkin with the second overall pick of the entry draft.  The very next year, Pittsburgh selected Sidney Crosby with the first overall pick of the entry draft.

• While not a center, Alex Ovechkin was the player selected first overall ahead of Malkin in the 2004 entry draft.  But in order to get themselves in that position, the Washington Capitals in 2003-2004 lost 64% of their games.

• The Chicago Blackhawks are no different.  Jonathan Toews is an example of a top center being selected third overall (in the 2006 entry draft).  The very next year, winger Patrick Kane was the first overall selection of the 2007 entry draft.  However, being in position to draft either player, much less both, required the Blackhawks enduring back-to-back seasons of 60% futility.

• Locally speaking, this is how the Islanders got their hands on their former center John Tavares, and how the Devils were able to draft center Nico Hischier.

The Rangers, on the other hand, have never allowed themselves to sink to such depths.  That, in a nutshell, explains the Rangers decades long lack of elite skill up the middle.  There's been just one instance within my lifetime (1984-1985) in which the Rangers lost 62% of their games.  The previous time before that occurred before I was born, between the years 1964 through 1966, when they lost 64% of their games, on average.  Under Emile "the cat" Francis they would draft themselves back into playoff contention and into the 1972 Stanley Cup finals.

It was one year ago this month when Jeff Gorton (shadowed by Glen Sather) announced the Rangers were embarking on a full rebuild.  A decision I applauded.  But according to the latest NHL standings, the Rangers are presently only the tenth worst team in hockey.  To my point, that's not nearly bad enough in terms of superior draft positioning.

Jeff Gorton has nonetheless amassed a handsome clutch of draft picks to either stock the organization's ranks, or utilize as trade chips.  The latter seems far more likely, particularly if Jeff Gorton decides to accelerate this rebuild.  For example, if the Rangers can not swing a deal for, say, a thirty-something Jonathan Toews, then acquiring a pair of two way/second line centers I guess would be the next best thing.

N.Y. Mets: Pete Alonso Smashes First Grapefruit of Spring Training

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE

New York Mets: Pete Alonso Begins Bid to Win First Base Job With a Bang.

With general manager Brodie Van Wagenen looking on, first base hopeful Pete Alonso wasted no time putting his long-ball capabilities on full display Saturday afternoon for all the Spring Training crowd to see.  In his first Grapefruit League at-bat, Alonso deposited Atlanta's Touki Toussaint's first offering beyond the left/center field wall.

It's also worth mentioning one of BVW's very first actions as new general manager was to pay his highly touted slugger a personal visit.  After all, it's Brodie who is prioritizing better organizational interpersonal relationships aimed towards achieving success.

Yeah ... just keep hitting dingers, Pete!

I caught my first glimpse of Alonso in 2016 when he played (in my backyard) for the Brooklyn Cyclones.  He slashed .321/.382/.587, with 12 doubles, five home runs, and 21 RBI, through 30 games and 109 at-bats.  He played 82 games for (A+) St. Lucie in 2017, then touched down at Binghamton by season's end (where I managed my second glimpse of Alonso; pictured below).

Sept. 4, 2017 @ Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Alonso split last season demoralizing both Eastern and Pacific Coast League pitchers.  Considering his batting average dipped 54-points from Binghamton (.314) to Las Vegas (.260), he nonetheless finished up slashing .285/.395/.579/1.012, with 31 doubles, 36 home runs, and 119 RBI through 132 games and a combined 478 at-bats.

The recently turned 24-year old has but 282 games played as a professional.  Through 1,038 career minor league at-bats, Alonso is slashing .287/.377/.555/.932, with 65 home runs and 230 RBI.  That's some rather prodigious stuff.  But by no means does last season's performance, nor Saturday's home run mean he's ready to compete against major league pitching.  That must work itself out on the field and at the plate.  In the meantime, he appears to have no bigger proponent than Brodie Van Wagenen, who seems unconcerned with starting Alonso's proverbial clock.

Syracuse is, of course, the logical place for him to open the season.  There's enough roster depth available between Todd Frazier, Dom Smith, and J.D. Davis, for accommodating Alonso's eventual graduation to Flushing.  The only question is not if, but when.  Unfortunately, Alonso potentially faces a lengthy season at Syracuse, as the matter of Todd Frazier's $9 million dollar salary may force Alonso to just sit around and wait.


J.D. DAVIS: TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL TO SURPRISE.

J.D. Davis is a curious acquisition with much potential upside.  He comes from the Houston Astros, along with (minor) Cody Bohanek, in exchange for (minor prospects) Ross Adolph, Scott, Manea, and Luis Santana.  Parting with Adolph is my only bone of contention.  Like Pete Alonso, I enjoyed immensely watching Ross play out his first pro season as a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones.  But unlike Ross, Davis has major league experience and can play the infield corners as well as outfield (although his defense at third may leave something to be desired).  He turns 26-years old in April, and is not eligible for free agency until after the 2024 season.  That said,  I'll give J.D. a pass for 67 inconsequential MLB games played, to date.  What I will credit him for is being a .521 slugger through five minor league seasons and nearly 2,000 career (minor) at-bats.  Last season while playing at Fresno of the PCL, he slashed a nifty .342/.406/.583, with 17 home runs and 81 RBI through 85 games and 333 at-bats.  However, like Pete Alonso, this slugger needs to prove himself on the major league level.  But this is indeed an intriguing acquisition to say the least.

N.Y. Rangers: The Jeff Gorton Purge Continues

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

New York Rangers: Mats Zuccarello traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for two conditional draft picks.

Traded in the midst of his ninth season with the Rangers, Mats Zuccarello has always been considered one of off-Broadway's brightest stars, and will forever remain a fan favorite.

An extremely smart player both with and without the puck, he had a knack for being everywhere his line mates needed him to be.  Also never one to shy away from physical play or steer clear of the dirtier portions of ice, Mats continually demonstrated himself to be an explosive player in a small package.  And for the last five-plus seasons he has easily been one of the team's top forwards, and often times their best.

And there's the rub ...

Taking account of Rangers personnel over the last seven years is to know Mats Zuccarello should never have been the team's top scorer; not with the likes of Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Ryan Callahan, Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, Kevin Hayse, J.T. Miller, Derick Brassard, Derek Stepan, etc., populating the roster.  Yet between 2013 and 2018, Mats Zuccarello did just that, leading the team in scoring four out of five seasons with an average of 56-points - an indictment against the players, if I may, with whom through the years Zuccarello has been surrounded with, including the man who assembled them together, Glen Sather, whose cap-consuming win now business model inevitably proved ruinous.  This is why the Rangers find themselves in this present condition of tearing it down and rebuilding from the ground up.

I liked MatsZucs as much as the next fan.  But if it's change that you seek, well then things must get worse before getting better.  As such, many of life's best decisions usually start out being the most unpopular ones.  So touche to Jeff Gorton for picking up where he left off last year insofar as trading away players of value for draft picks and prospects; the more, the merrier.  My only gripe is that Gorton has still not gone far enough (last year included). 

But there's still time to jettison more players before Monday's deadline.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Creates Some Elbow Room

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS BEGINS NOW!

SATURDAY

Nets       117

Hornets  115

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert Provides Flatbush With a Little Elbow Room.

A week after making his NBA All-Star Game debut at Charlotte, D'Angelo Russell returned to North Carolina where on Saturday the fourth year point guard celebrated his 23rd birthday by smoking the Hornets nest with a career tying 40-point, and game high seven assist effort.

However, it was Caris LeVert who in the end stepped in to create the requisite elbow room needed for nudging the Nets through to a much needed team victory over one of the Eastern Conference's top eight contenders.  To the Hornets dismay, LeVert's flailing elbow block of Kemba Walker's last second attempt at a three earned no whistle.  Walker tried selling an infraction, but the refs weren't buying.

Brooklyn entered Saturday's action with an even 30-30 record.  Their 117-115 victory at Charlotte helps stabilize their sixth place standing after going just 3-6 in their previous nine games.  Brooklyn is presently one of just six Eastern Conference teams playing above the .500 mark.  The Hornets loss drops them to eighth, while Detroit now slips into seventh just 1.5 games behind the Nets.

D'ANGELO RUSSELL CONTINUES NEW YEAR SURGE

With Spencer Dinwiddie out since Jan. 23, D'Angelo Russell continues elevating his game.  Saturday marks the second time this season D'Angelo Russell has hit the 40-point mark.  No coincidence both have occurred during the new year (he scored 40-points at Orlando, Jan. 8).  He has scored 25-points or better in 20 games this season; eight times from October through December:

• OCT: once.
• NOV: three times.
• DEC: four times.

So far, the new calendar year speaks for itself:

• JAN: eight times.
• FEB: four times.

This month, D'Angelo Russell has scored 25-points or better in three of his last four games, and four times over his last eight games.  Closer to the point, he's averaging 26.1 point in February, after averaging 23.8 points in January.

N.Y. Mets: Noah Syndergaard Wields Hammer on Free Agency

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

CALL OF THE PALM TREES - PART VI

PITCHERS and CATCHERS

• The Dish is Well Improved With Wilson Ramos and Devin Mesoraco
• The Jacob deGrom Contract Dilemma
• Zack Wheeler Poised for Breakout Season
• Time for Real Steven Matz to Please Stand Up 
• A Metsian PODCAST 2/17/19: Spring Training Preview with Guest Metstradamus

New York Mets: Thor Says Make No Pitch Before Its Time.

Don't count on the Mets serving up Noah Syndergaard a four/five year early bird special similar to those recently gobbled up by the Yankees Luis Severino and the Phillies Aaron Nola.  For it appears offering Noah a higher premium for his remaining years of arbitration and shaving a few years off free agency is now officially off the menu.

Apparently that's the bottom line, because Noah Syndergaard said so.  The man they call Thor made his position quite clear just a few days ago when he said,

"I trust my ability and the talent that I have.  I feel like I'm going to bet on myself in free agency." - The Athletic.

And why not ...

Business wise, it's the right move.  As someone who turns 27-years old this coming August, any prospective four/five year deal would expire during his early thirties.  All it takes is one look around to know the present landscape for thirty-something free agents is changing before our very eyes.  And make no mistake ... Noah is paying very close attention as Jacob deGrom and the Mets front office speak of hammering out a new deal but have yet to exchange a single dollar figure.  Therefore, why would Noah put himself in such a position when he most certainly stands to make more money on the open market as a 29-year old and still in the midst of his prime athletic years.

His name was also the focus of constant off-season trade scuttlebutt.  Some players are immune to rumors; others not so much.  But at this point, it seems as if mutual loyalty has left the building.  Thus I believe Brodie Van Wagenen is inclined more now than ever to actually follow through with a trade involving Syndergaaard.  I heard the following on the radio, of which I fully agree: Syndergaard could very well wind up dealt to the San Diego Padres.  On the heels of signing Manny Machado, the Padres are starved for pitching but very rich in touted, and potentially obtainable prospects.

It's also no coincidence the Mets have a quickly developing quandary on their hands.  Zack Wheeler becomes a free agent after this season; Jacob deGrom is eligible after 2020; and Syndergaard is eligible after the 2021 season.  The odds of the Mets retaining all three are remote.

What's a general manager to do?

N.Y. Mets: Time for the Real Steven Matz to Step Forward

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

CALL of the PALM TREES

METSIAN PODCAST: 

Spring Training Preview

PITCHERS and CATCHERS

• Wilson Ramos and Devin Mesoraco are Agreeable Short Term Improvements 
• The Jacob deGrom Contract Dilemma 
• Zack Wheeler Poised for Breakout Season

New York Mets: A Healthy Steven Matz Can Help Transform the Starting Rotation into the Idealized Fearsome Foursome Fans Have Been Longing For.

Can Steven Matz endure a full season?

That is the question.

Until he demonstrates otherwise, the Mets fragile fifth year pitcher still requires handling with care.

Matz made his MLB debut in June of 2015, and started three more games before season's end, posting a nifty 4-0 record with a 2.27 ERA, while allowing 34 hits, and fanning 34 through 35.2 innings pitched.  After which, he's been riddled by arm troubles ever since.  In 2016, he managed 132.1 innings pitched through 22 starts.  However, by mid-season it was revealed he was pitching with bone spurs in his elbow.  He pressed on but was shut down by late August upon feeling shoulder tightness.  He would undergo off-season surgery as scheduled.  Steven then began the 2017 season on the disabled list with a flexor strain.  His season finally commenced on June 10, but came to an abrupt end just over two months later when an ulnar nerve issue short-circuited his season after just 13 starts.  For a second straight off-season, Matz would undergo surgery.

Under first year manager Mickey Callaway and new bullpen coach Dave Eiland, Steven returned in 2018 to post a 5-11 record with a 3.97 ERA, and 1.247 WHiP, and set several career marks in the process:

• 33 starts
• 154 innings pitched
• 8.9 K/9
• 7.8 H/9
• .267 BABIP

On the negative side, he finished the season with a career high 3.4 W/9 average, but more noticeably failed to negotiate yet another season without experiencing injury; the culprit this time being a late July flexor pronator strain.

It's understandable that his fastball velocity is still slightly down from his rookie year, according to Fangraphs.  But a fully recovered, and healthy Steven Matz may yet correct that.  He can turn things around by first cutting down his walks, and getting his rate of ground balls back over the 50% mark.
In 2016, Matz posted a career best 3.44 ERA over 132.1 innings pitched; improving upon that mark is an achievable goal.

Above all else, the Mets need more innings from their back-end starter.  Matz averaged just 4.2 innings per start last season, and is averaging 5.1 innings through 71 career starts.  Said another way, each of his appearances inherently places a burden on the bullpen.  And that must change.  As the team's fourth starter, a healthy, reliable, and effective, Steven Matz can serve as a key weapon of sorts insofar as consistently outperforming the competition's back-end starters.

Not out of the question ...