What trades, if any, do you see happening?
-NJstuckinTX
Every year as a fan, I’m excited for the trade deadline. If the Mets don’t add a player or two, I’m disappointed. In recent years however, not adding talent has been the prudent course of action. I think the Mets will deal for one or maybe two relief pitchers this year. I would not give up a good prospect for any reliever. The Mets bullpen is so bad, that Alderson can’t ignore it, even if he doesn’t have confidence that the team will continue to contend. The team may also look for a solid catcher that can compete with Josh Thole. Unfortunately I’m not sure if that player exists. I don’t see any major trades happening because I don’t think management thinks this is their year to play deep into October.
If Justin Upton was available, would it be right to trade for him?
-srt
Absolutely. Okay, maybe it is not that simple, but if he is available, he is a player the Mets should pursue. A 24 year-old, with an average season of 24 home runs, 18 steals and a .360 OBP and who has a reasonable cost-controlled contract through 2015. He is struggling this year, but I don’t see why his best years couldn’t be ahead of him. The problem is the haul the Diamondbacks would ask in return. I would be comfortable with giving up a package such as Harvey, Duda, Valdespin and Familia. I would not give up both Wheeler and Harvey. I don’t know if the package above would get the deal done. Even if it did, that is giving up a lot but to get a player like Upton. But there is no doubt it would be worth it
Does Bay have more than the next two weeks to show revitalization before being axed? Or does he get the rest of the year to show he is totally shot?
-Stick Guy
I think the Mets management knows they can’t expect anything positive out of Bay. He has had enough time to prove he can no longer hit at the rate he once did. Hopefully management and Collins understand he can’t start everyday just because he has a huge contract. He will continue to get a fair amount of playing time because the other options in the outfield aren’t very good. With any luck, Bay can put together a good month here and there and provide at least a some value. I’m skeptical but that is about as much as anyone can hope for at this point.
Should the Mets call up Matt Harvey now that Dillon Gee is out?
John, NY
I think Matt Harvey deserves a call-up to replace Gee. Harvey started off slow this year at Triple-A, but he has turned it on, now pitching to a 3.39 ERA for the full season and 2.72 ERA in his last 10 starts at Buffalo. He has also recorded over a strikeout per inning this season. Hearing many baseball analysts, including Keith Law talk about how Harvey he has pitched well enough to deserve a call-up. He is still a little wild, but his fastball is ready and he flashes 3 above other above average pitches and with more seasoning he will hopefully be more consistent. He deserves a chance over Miguel Batista because Batista provides very little short-term value, and zero long-term value for the team. Once he is called up, Harvey should stay in the Major League rotation for as long as his innings limit allows him. He should not be sent down, unless he is clearly over matched.
15 comments
Stickguy
7/12/2012-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
I think Harvey can finish the fine tuning (much of which will come from dealing with adversity, and making adjustments) in the majors at this point. He seems to be really close.
eventually, you are going to have to find better competition to face if you expect to develop (or prove) your best stuff. Certainly seems to have gotten just about all he can out of AAA, so what will throwing another 5 starts down there do? Let him see what the real hitters can teach him!
Bay? I hope Terry’s BS about him getting his FT starting job back was just blowing canadian smoke. That can’t last long. But, the real big issue is, when do they cut him?
I would not be surprised if he ends up on the DL again of course. But, if not, he will probably look like crap again (his week back before the head plant was horrific). A couple more weeks like that, and quickly he should see plenty of rest days, conveniently when a RHP is going. Then just sitting on the bench, followed by a phantom DL stint to get him out of the way.
I am 100% sure he is gone before next season, even if it is a straight DFA. only question might be, does he get a look in ST?
srt
7/12/2012-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Blowing canadian smoke…..LOL
You would almost have to platoon Bay, I would think. Cannot have any more automatic outs in this line-up.
Unless by some miracle he comes back more in line with his Boston days, I’m hoping he’s gone by next season as well.
Don’t know what they’ll do with Harvey. You know it’s all going to depend on Batista and his starts. I still think Hefner is a better bet than Batista for a fill in.
oleosmirf
7/12/2012-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
The way I see it, since a 5th SP is not needed until the 21st so the Mets will only use their #5SP 3 more times in July.
Batista/Hefner can fill in for 3 games and then have Harvey take over and make another 4 or 5 starts in AAA and then make his MLB debut in San Francisco on get away day on August 5th.
Batista/Hefner can fill in for 3 games and then have Harvey take over
NJstuckinTX
7/12/2012-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t particularly agree, but that aside, how sweet it would be for Wheeler to dominate in SF’s park. Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes…
Hazmet
7/12/2012-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Harvey not Wheeler. Not let get too far ahead of ourselves, though it will be sweet one day.
Hazmet
7/12/2012-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
*Or: Let’s not
The heat from yardwork kickin’ in.
NJstuckinTX
7/12/2012-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Over worked, under paid… That’s my excuse for mental lapse.
Hazmet
7/12/2012-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Can a Jamie Moyer signing be far behind? I just threw up a little in my mouth at the mere thought of it.
Stickguy
7/12/2012-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
is that much worse than the Jason Marquis suggestion from yesterday (though not sure where I saw that one now).
TRS86
7/12/2012-7:19pm at 7:19 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, Marquis has actually pitched well this year for SD.
oleosmirf
7/12/2012-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Or another move is you can kill 3 birds with one stone.
Acquire Jason Marquis, Huston Street and Chris Denorfia in one trade and you have a #5 SP, closer and a RH platoon OF
Then you don’t need to make any other moves…
Stickguy
7/12/2012-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
And all you have to do is send Omar Jason Bay back!
Ceetar
7/12/2012-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
Denorfia’s splits are small. Jason Bay is better against lefties (actually much better)
oleosmirf
7/12/2012-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
well we will have some time to see whether Bay is capable of performing before the trade deadline, although I think it’s reasonable to believe that Bay’s skills are steadily depreciating.
Denorfia’s been around long enough where his numbers shouldn’t be a victim of sample size. I think he’s a very underrated player and would be a very useful 4th OF.
All evidence suggests Bay is a platoon player at his best and a negative producer at his worst…
TRS86
7/12/2012-7:22pm at 7:22 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure Denorfia’s power numbers make him that much better of an option than what we already have. Looks like a RH version of Baxter maybe?