Mar 11
Video: Watch Carter Go Boom!
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97 comments
rustyjr
3/11/2010-6:42am at 6:42 am (UTC -4)
yes he is living up to his nickname ” animal” !!
honestly i feel he should get the last bench spot over jacobs- he is younger hits for better average and has awesome power numbers
stickguy
3/11/2010-7:37am at 7:37 am (UTC -4)
I feel good that I was driving his bandwagon a few months back when he was the forgotten man.
And if he does work out and become a real playa, makes the Wagner deal look a lot better. Some people might even have to retract a few nasty comments about Jeff and Omar (OK, I know that won’t happen).
But as always, is he better on the bench or playing everyday at AAA? For a real young guy (say, F mart) go with AAA. But after 4 years, I think Carter isn’t going to get more out of it.
TOo bad (typical Mets) if they end up with a guy that hits his way onto the roster, they have no where to play him!
So, trade bait?
On the field, if he can play 1B, put him in the mix there. Or if he can manage in RF, let him platoon some with Francouer.
anyway, with options, expect him to start in LF daily in Buffalo until needed.
trs86
3/11/2010-7:45am at 7:45 am (UTC -4)
Hey if you are driving I am shotgun. Just looking at this guys minor league stats shows that he needs to be given a chance. The only reason he was not was playing in Boston behind Manny, Bay, Ortiz and Youk.
trs86
3/11/2010-7:46am at 7:46 am (UTC -4)
I think that he could get enough AB’s as a LF, RF guy to give Frenchy and Bay days off as well as Murphy and PH.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:09am at 8:09 am (UTC -4)
As long as he can play RF OK, then he has a role.
I am very big now on platooning frnehcy.
Just take his career norms vs. LHP, and Carters ML equivilancy (whatever the techy name for that is) against RH pitching, and you suddenly have an above average hitting RF. At least equal to what Werth put up last year.
So, I am jiggy with giving him a shot, and if he hits like I think he will, ~300-400 abs spread across LF, RF, 1B and PH.
and if one of the incumbants hits the DL, you got the replacement on hand.
trs86
3/11/2010-8:10am at 8:10 am (UTC -4)
I am torn on Frenchy. I think he needs a chance to prove he is an everyday player. If not then in my opinion you trade him. His salary is too high for a platoon guy.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:19am at 8:19 am (UTC -4)
I think he has played enough to prove he is an everyday player that does not hit well against RH pitching, making him borderline as an everyday guy.
And like with Luis, the salary is a sunk cost, so go for wins.
He is also only on a 1 year deal, so no biggee.
It doesn’t even have to be a strict, formal platoon. Let him have some RH pitchers, and give Carter the tougher ones on a RH batter?
trs86
3/11/2010-8:24am at 8:24 am (UTC -4)
Perhaps, one of the things that is a positive with Frenchy though is that he plays everyday even through pain. I just think he is either a full-time guy or you trade him and go with Fmart or Pagan when Beltran returns.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:52am at 8:52 am (UTC -4)
I speculated on that idea a week or 2 back. An OF of Bay, Beltran and Pagan could be pretty darned good if Pagan builds on last year.
ceetar
3/11/2010-8:56am at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’m not sure how Francoeur would handle not playing everyday, and i KNOW Manuel’s not a good enough manager to try a less than everyday type role with him.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
Agreed on both. I think you stick with Frenchy everyday and if he can’t produce you get rid of him. I know what the numbers say, however there is also something to be said for solid defense and team chemistry. Frenchy is a happy go lucky guy and would most likely not be that in a platoon. Same reason Atlanta never really tried it.
stickguy
3/11/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
then instead of a platoon, it will be “selectively resting” against tough RH pitchers.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
Again possible but Frenchy is the type that wants to play 150+ games a year and if not most likely won’t be happy.
ceetar
3/11/2010-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Francoeur doesn’t want to ever come out. It could become an issue. He should’ve been DL’d last year and it didn’t end up mattering but him playing actually make his thumbs worse and delayed his recovery.
trs86
3/11/2010-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, so we play him and Pagan and then take a look at Beltran’s health and then make a decision to most likely trade someone.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:21am at 8:21 am (UTC -4)
anyway, I don’t mind this bench:
Blanco
tatis (stuck with him, but versatile)
Cora (would like better, but he is our MI guy)
GM Jr (pagan starting)
Carter
trs86
3/11/2010-8:25am at 8:25 am (UTC -4)
It’s not bad. I still think we may be better off going with Pagan and Pridie and then trading GMJR.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:50am at 8:50 am (UTC -4)
oh for sure. I just expect that those are the guys we are getting.
trs86
3/11/2010-8:23am at 8:23 am (UTC -4)
According to CNBC: “NEW YORK METS Agreed to terms with INF Anderson Hernandez, INF Daniel Murphy, C Omir Santos, INF Nick Evans, OF Fernando Martinez, OF Chris Carter, OF Jason Pridie, C Josh Thole, INF Shawn Bowman, RHP Nelson Figueroa, RHP Fernando Nieve, LHP Pat Misch, RHP Bobby Parnell, LHP Jonathon Niese, RHP Tobi Stoner, RHP Eddie Kunz, RHP Jack Egbert and LHP Arturo Lopez on one-year contracts.
stickguy
3/11/2010-8:51am at 8:51 am (UTC -4)
them being your renewals.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
Yup, some surprises?
CaseStreet
3/11/2010-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
yeah, if Carter can play the field, he should get the 5th spot over Jacobs.
I really think GMJ gets to start the season and plays well, so we can trade him once Beltran comes back.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
Problem is based on what we have heard if he could play the field he would have already been in the MLB.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
LOL, two of the “great” signings by the Nats gets released. Estes and Everyday Eddie.
trs86
3/11/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Angel Pagan CF
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Mike Jacobs 1B
Jason Bay LF
Frank Catalanotto DH
Jeff Francoeur RF
Alex Cora SS
Chris Coste C
trs86
3/11/2010-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
flamethrower Jeurys Familia touched 100 mph on a radar gun.
oleosmirf
3/11/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
so far I would say that Carter should have the upperhand but regardless I dont think he will make the team and thats a shame.
his minor league numbers are fantastic and he gives you the power bat off the bench plus who knows maybe he steals the starting 1B job from Murphy if he hits a couple bombs early on.
Omir Santos is going to be traded b/c there is definately no room for him on the MLB and AAA roster. I think Jacobs or Carter will be the DH in Buffalo.
As of now my bench would be Blanco, Cora, Matthews, Carter, Catalanotto but Tatis will most likely claim Carter or Catalanotto’s spot
also for the pitching staff, so far, Takahashi and Figueroa have earned a spot on the team
trs86
3/11/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Need a RH on that bench and that is why Tatis will take one of those spots.
ceetar
3/11/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Why do we need a RH on the bench really? (Fernando in April, Pagan S on bench maybe?
)
the team is RH heavy anyway (not that I think that’s a bad thing) and I don’t want to get into the habit of pinching hitting for Murphy and only having him play 6-7 innings every game. Isn’t he the only lefty anyway?
trs86
3/11/2010-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think we do need a RH on the bench. Someone has to PH for the pitcher right? LOL. Can’t have the catcher be the only RH on the bench.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
eh. How about just lefty’s that can hit lefties? I know guys are going to do it anyway, but do opposing managers really want to bring in a lefty to face a pinch hitter?
njstuckintx
3/11/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
How would you classify Lefty only bench people. LOOBP? Would Rightly only be ROOBP?
trs86
3/11/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Yes they do all the time. You have seen it. Bobby Cox will waste 3 pitchers just to make sure he gets the RH on RH or LH on LH matchup, so does LaRussa. I think they have to have at least one RH on the bench. Besides that, if Tatis is healthy he’s better than these options anyway.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
I disagree that Tatis is a better option. Or that he will be.
Matthews can bat righty, can’t that be enough?
trs86
3/11/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Look at Tatis numbers the last 2 years compared to the guys he is competing with. Tatis bias is as bad as the Castillo bias.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
By the way GMJR against LH: .249 BA .318 OBP.
Tatis
vs LH: .272 .351 .457 .808
vs RH: .264 .343 .439 .782
Virtually no split.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I’m not denying I dislike Tatis and am biased. Stats cant’ tell the whole story of how bad he was for most of last year though. And I can’t seem him getting better in any regards and just want a change of face and a little upside.
And we know I like Evans and would like to see him given a shot to get a shot (in Spring or September of last year for example) but it’s obvious that’s not goign to happen until they fire Manuel. I just think Carter and Evans, given equal opportunity do have a shot to outperform Tatis and shouldn’t just be dismissed because it’s easier to keep the status quo.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Again to me Carter is not in the discussion as they will have to have a RH. No way at this point would you expect Evans to even hit Tatis’s numbers in AAA.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
One other thing to keep in mind, a LH that can hit LH is a starter not a bench guy. LOL. Those are hard to find.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Example
Adams: .163 .263 .255 .518
Cat: .240 .324 .332 .656
Jacobs: .221 .269 .374 .643
Carter in minors OPS drops under .800
Murphy: .240 .289 .442 .732
CaseStreet
3/11/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
no way Tatis doesn’t have a spot.
trs86
3/11/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
Unless he is still injured I agree. If he is injured then I think Adams would take his spot. Unless there are more issues with Reyes then Ahern?
trs86
3/11/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
Whoops, Adams is LH too. I wonder if he has a chance in that derby?
trs86
3/11/2010-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
He is listed as a SS, 2B, 3B.
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
Omar also apparently has signed another guy he drafted back in the day.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oconnmi01.shtml
trs86
3/11/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
Saw that, on the minor league side right?
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
I assume but the report was vague, just said “word from the back fields is…”
prismo
3/11/2010-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
As of this moment, 30% of MetsBlog readers believe Nelson Figueroa’s leading the fifth starter race. *facepalm*
trs86
3/11/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
At this point he has had one start and then 2 appearances that don’t count.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Honestly what no one is noticing is that Misch has actually pitched even better than Figgy. No runs same amount of useless innings and more k’s.
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
What about the other 70%?
trs86
3/11/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
# Jon Niese (38%, 177 Votes)
# Nelson Figueroa (31%, 143 Votes)
# Hisanosi Takahashi (27%, 126 Votes)
# Fernando Nieve (4%, 17 Votes)
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Thank you.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
And this is why I love TRDMB compared to MB:
davidwright2008 March 11, 2010 at 11:18 am
I dont see how the Mets cannot give that spot to Figgy.. Give him a chance with all our boys in place and he will give you a solid 7 innings every time out and keep us in the game. He may be our best chance for complete games as well. He will not walk us out of games and is very consistant. FIGGY FIGGY FIGGY!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn, 7 solid innings every time? No need for another ace, we got Figgy.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
Never mind, must be Figgy’s wife again:
davidwright2008 March 11, 2010 at 11:24 am
AGREED. He has earned it. Plus, he’s damn good. Solid. If he doesnt get that spot, if I were him, I would beg to have them release me. There are plenty of teams he could start for and do a good job for.
stickguy
3/11/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
that really worked out for him last year.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, lead to his wife whining cursing the Mets and Figgy begging for a job back.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
LoL welcome aboard.
“Getting Figgy With It” NA NA NA NA NANANA…
trs86
3/11/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Imagine how someone who said that on here would be treated. LOL. He would become very educated very quickly.
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I guess the NYBD headline “No one is talking about Nelson Figueroa” is not quite true.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
In “Getting Figgy With It�
trs86
3/11/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
LOL, no the original comment.
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t suggest that Figgy was a better all around choice (all things considered) for the Mets than Jason Marquis because I just felt like a controversy, I truly meant it and still believe it.
But the Mets need to decide if they’re a contender or a pretender. If they’re a contender they can’t give a rotation spot to a 35 year old career AAAA player in the hope that he’s finally figured it out.
He’s just too perfect for an obviously out-of-it team in a small market with a low budget. He’d really be a perfect San Diego Padre. He could just take the ball every 5 days in anonymity and either be that incredibly rare late bloomer or finally pitch himself out of the majors for good but do so without a team’s chances of competing for the playoffs hinging on the gamble.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Actually he is perfect for a contender’s AAA team as a call up when crap happens. That’s what he is a AAAA guy.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Poor TRS You have Figgyitis
trs86
3/11/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
See comment below.
I just can’t stand it when an average to below average player suddenly becomes a great player because he is a good guy. Call it the Gritty McHudson disease.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Poor TRS you really do have Figgyitis. You actually believe people see him as a great player.
Tsk Tsk Tsk
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, credit where credit is due on Figgy having Gritty McHudson disease please!
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Do you smell a trade coming?
trs86
3/11/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Eventually maybe? I think they will give Niese, Taka and Nieve chances (even Figgy, sigh) before really exploring the market. That is unless a bargain comes up or Maine or Perez falter.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
While all that’s insane, and Figueroa isn’t exactly anyone special, I’ve said that I wouldn’t be opposed to him holding down the 5th spot for a bit. He has had some decent competitive stretches for us and I don’t think we should just flat out dismiss them as small sample sizes or luck.
The guy I want to SEE is Niese, but he’s also the easiest to give another month or two in AAA. Nieve was a small sample size so we’ll see, and who knows with Takahashi.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
I just laugh at the thoughts of 7 solid innings and the fact that other teams are just waiting with contract in hand if released.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Ceetar just in case you didn’t know TRS is dead set against Figueroa pitching for Mets as a 5th starter no matter how well he pitches.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Yup. Because 10,000 minor league innings don’t lie.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Not that he’s good or anything, but for a 5th starter in April that allows you to evaluate Niese and Takahashi a little more..
this is why I wanted a 5th starter like Garland or something.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
I think any of these guys would give you about what Garland would especially considering price. Garland wanted nothing to do with the East Coast anyway.
I can’t see how having Figgy as the #5 allows you to evaluate Niese and Taka in AAA. Send Figgy to AAA and evaluate him. LOL. I just don’t think it’s wise to lose some of these guys for a AAAA player.
Enough of my comments on Figgy. May he pitch the first NO hitter in Mets history and make me eat my words.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
LoL Of course they don’t TRS He is what he is He can never be better than his past.
Poor Figgy so much wasted effort.
I read somewhere once “never let others define who you are”
I take it you don’t agree TRS.
Is Figgyitis contagious?
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
Have you ever taken a long look at his career stats, over nearly a decade, with six organizations, as a starter and a reliever?
trs86
3/11/2010-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
You keep misreading my intentions as hate or bias when I have said I like Figgy over and over. I like him for what he is, minor league depth. That’s all he ever will be. You can’t tell me that a 35-36 year old is going to suddenly prove he is a major leaguer for a team hoping to compete for a division title? Not only that but keeping him may mean losing a guy like Nieve or Misch?
fongy2
3/11/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
I agree!
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
It is indeed really hard to find one’s way to baseballreference.com to see what an incredible career Nelson Figueroa has had, in six organizations, sucking as a starter AND a reliever.
It’s amazing what the media has done to spring training.
Figgy should be a starter, Davis should play first, Mejia should be setup man, and Santos should be traded for a number 2.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
IF they play today then Jacobs is getting a lot of work. In lineup today and tomorrow.
GravediggerHebner
3/11/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Jerry likes his veterans. He’s seen that “career minor leaguer” Carter go off recently so he has to give his “bench power lefty vet” every chance to accidentally hit a HR or two and get back in the competition.
The odd thing to me this spring is that Jacobs has walked a lot it’s as if he’s trying to improve his all around game and chances to make the team or something.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, has gotten like 1 hit but has an OBP of .500 LOL.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
this likely reinforces that Murphy’s got the job.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Murphy played 10 innings yesterday so I am sure he’s getting the day off regardless of the competition.
ceetar
3/11/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
Jacobs tomorrow too. Just mean the general spring workout. Murphy played 10 innings yesterday cause he basically demanded to play a full game. I think he thinks only playing 6 is a tease.
trs86
3/11/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
LOL, I don’t see anyway that Murphy is not the starting 1b come opening day. Jacobs has to feel that. I guess they are trying to see if his bat can get hot to be the LH guy or showcase him for a trade.
oleosmirf
3/11/2010-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
personally I think Jacobs will be the DH in Buffalo and is the backup plan in case Murphy cant get the job done.
plus with Martinez and Davis probably both in AAA its good to surround them with MLB talent. that AAA team we had in Buffalo last year was a disgrace…F-Mart was pretty much the only guy getting it done there…
stickguy
3/11/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
looks a hell of a lot better this year. And should actually have prospects, not just 34 YO career MiL guys.
Should make the nice people of Buffalo a little bit happier.
oleosmirf
3/11/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
a lineup of 1B Davis, 2B Tejada, 3B Bowman, C Thole , LF Feliciano, CF Pridie, RF Martinez DH Santos/Jacobs/Carter/Tatis is pretty solid
stickguy
3/11/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
ST stats are dangerous to rely on in general.
Making decisions based on the 1st week of play is idiotic.
Making decisions based on a prior body of work, and factoring what you see in ST (health, “stuff”, etc.) is reasonable.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
+1
trs86
3/11/2010-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed.
njstuckintx
3/11/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Does anyone else get the feeling that Reyes is going to rest and change his diet, not be ready for Spring training and then have to have surgery anyway? I 100% hope not, but that was the first thought to cross my mind.
njstuckintx
3/11/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
Should read opening day, not Spring training.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/11/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! I wouldn’t be surprised, but even if the surgery is required, it can be delayed till the end of the season.