Before we dive in, here is an exchange from Jim Callis’ chat from Baseball America:
Ryan (NYC): Who do you see the Mets taking at 13? I saw a mock draft saying Archie Bradley, is that a good pick there?
Jim Callis: Can’t see that. MLB is going to go ballistic if the Mets bust slot after they’ve been helping the club financially and Bradley is a two-sport high school kid who won’t sign for close to slot.
So, while we were optimistic that the Mets would let Sandy & Co. got above slot (which would also let the Wilpon’s say “Look, we’re in good shape – look at us spend more money in the draft”… albeit, ‘more money’ is only a mil or two more), the fact that the Mets are financially beholden to MLB is a good indicator that they will obey Selig’s wishes. So be it. At least this is a deep draft class, so there will be good talent to be had when the Mets draft at #13 & #44.
Rochester 3, Buffalo 2
Unlike my herpes outbreak, all good things must come to an end. And so concludes Kirk Niewenhuis’ 16 game hitting streak. Over the life of the streak, Kirk hit .382/.477/.691, and his average sits at .324 after yesterday’s 0 for 4. On the bright side Lucas Duda went 2 for 4 with a solo home run, but he was also cut down at home in the 7th trying to score from first on a double. Back to the bad side, the Bisons lost. Oh, and Ronny Paulino went 0 for 4
Portland 9, Binghamton 4 – 7 innings
This one was cut short due to heavy rains late in the game in Portland, but the damage was done early as the Sea Dogs exploded for nine runs in the first three innings. What made this most distressful was that Brad Holt took the brunt of the bruising, giving up 6 ER in 2.1 innings with four walks. Now every pitcher will get cuffed from time to time, but the fact that it is Holt, who struggled so mightily for the better part of the last two seasons and had gotten off to a heretofore great start, makes this distressing. We’ll see how he bounces back.
St. Lucie 9, Bradenton 4
The PSL Mets improved to 18-3 on the season, thanks to a five run 9th that broke a tie and put the game out of reach. Matt Den Dekker was the offensive star of the game, going 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBI, raising his average to .358. His hitting streak is now at 11. Wilmer Flores (.301) went 1 for 5, Jefry Marte (.311) went 2 for 5 with an RBI, and Francisco Pena (!) had two hits and is now hitting .333. Not to be overlooked is starting pitcher Darren Gorski. While he didn’t factor in the decision, his line was 4 innings, 1 run, 3 hits, one walk, and 10 K’s. Not bad….
Delmarva 5, Savannah 2
This one see-sawed until the Shorebirds got three runs in the 7th, with the help of an Aderlin Rodriguez throwing error. He did connect for a solo homer earlier in the game, as did Blake Forsythe. On the night, the Sand Gnats scattered just five hits.
8 comments
TRS86
4/28/2011-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
I guess you could go both ways with the slot prediction. Could be that Sandy put a little bug that if you don’t let me do the draft the right way then there will be no Sandy.
Prismo
4/28/2011-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
Completely and utterly disagree with Callis.
The only way to make money is to spend it. What are we talking about here, an extra $1-2MM? They’re in debt hundreds of millions, and have a shot at building the club’s image by spending a tiny little fraction of that.
stickguy
4/28/2011-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
the only way to make more revenue is to draw more fans. And that will take wins/talent/putting fans in a positive mood. So consider an overslot as an investment in all 3.
though actually at 13, you can get a top talent anyway, and will be paying big for it regardless. Most of the big overslot picks happen lower (as in, a guy who is good enough to be drafted 13 gets picked at 44 but paid like 13!)
They will also have to spend something, and like you note, if they are gutting a lot ($30mill) off the ML payroll, they better show that they are reinvesting some of it elsewhere in the organization.
oleosmirf
4/28/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
going over slot might be in the Mets best interests as it gives them another opportunity to show to the baseball world that their baseball decisions are not hindered by money.
Ceetar
4/28/2011-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
It’s not a given that the Mets will need to go overslot. Draft the players you want, pay them as little as possible to get them signed, but get them signed.
Dirtysanchez
4/28/2011-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
The question is will they if they have too…Calis makes a good point but the FO also made it clear they would go overslot if they needed to. Im sure the loan didnt come with a stipulation they needed to adhere to the slot recommendations imo.
metsfan4decades
4/28/2011-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
This years draft will be very telling. And whoever said it was right, in the world of MLB, 1-2 extra MIL is a drop in the bucket.
Just go for the best talent, money should be secondary at this point.
Prismo
4/28/2011-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
I actually have no idea how much going over-slot at pick 13 costs. Just threw out $1-2MM. Could be less, could be more. Duffy – any idea?
But you’re right (as is Ceetar) – simply draft the player with the most talent and get him signed.