Over the last two days, the Mets organization is 11-1, with a one-run loss by the B-Mets being the only blemish. Better late than never; plenty of winning, let’s take a look:
Buffalo 6, Lehigh Valley 3
Zack Wheeler ended his first full season with the Mets on a high note. Wheeler gave up a run on 2 hits over 5 innings, with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. The Herd put up a 4-spot in the top of the 6th so Wheeler was taking out after the long delay, but ended up with the win. In 6 AAA starts Wheeler put up a 3.27 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33 innings. Opponents hit .188 against him. He’ll have to really impress in spring training to make the big league rotation, but he could be in the mix for a major league start by July, if not sooner depending on several variables. As for the Bison’s offense, Fred Lewis, Josh Rodriguez, and Matt Den Dekker had 2 hits each.
Trenton 3, Binghamton 2
Mark Cohoon let up 3 runs on 10 hits over 7 innings, taking the loss. Armando Rodriguez struck out 3 in 2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Juan Lagares and Dustin Martin had 2 hits each. Martin, Raul Reyes, and Wilfredo Tovar all had doubles. Martin also added a homer. Wilmer Flores was 0 for 4.
St. Lucie 5, Bradenton 4 (10 innings)
Cesar Puello singled home the game-winning run in the top of the 10th. Puello, T.J. Rivera, Cory Vaughn, and Darrell Ceciliani all had 2 hits each. Ceciliani had 2 doubles, as he continues to produce at high levels when healthy. Kyle Allen started and went 3 innings, followed by 3 innings by Angel Cuan. Jack Leathersich threw 2 shutout innings, striking out 3, but he allowed Cuan’s inherited runners to score, even though he didn’t give up a hit. Finally, Adrian Rosario threw 2 scoreless innings to get the win.
Savannah 6, Kannapolis 1 (11 innings)
This game was tied at 1 after 10 innings and then the Sand Gnats exploded for 5 runs in the 11th inning. Yucarybert De La Cruz had 2 hits and 3 RBI’s. Albert Cordero had 2 hits and 2 RBI’s. Brian Harrison and Greg Pron also had a pair of hits. Marco Camarena pitched the first 9 innings, allowing just an unearned run while striking out 5.
Brooklyn 3, Staten Island 2
Pitching is what’s going to carry the Cyclones to the playoffs and it was Julian Hilario’s turn, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just 4 hits and a walk while striking out 7. Things got sketchy in the 9th with Matt Koch and Tyler Vanderheiden but Huntington, NY native John Mincone got the final 2 outs to secure victory for Brooklyn. Brandon Nimmo was 1 for 5 with a solo homerun. That and a double by Maikis De La Cruz were the only extra-base hits for Brooklyn, but the light-hitting Cyclones pounded out 9 hits and 3 runs, which was enough to win. Elsewhere, Batavia erased a 7-4 deficit with a 6-run 6th inning and beat Williamsport. That means Brooklyn’s lead in the wildcard race remains at 1 game, with a magic number of 4 with 4 games to play. All 4 games are at home, starting with a game against the hated Yankees tonight at 5.
8 comments
wanny
9/2/2012-8:43am at 8:43 am (UTC -4)
The Mets should bring Zack up just to hang around with RA and the vet pitchers.
Curious to see what everyone thinks about Joel Sherman’s article advocating trading Wright, dickey and Niese this offseason. He’s generally a blow hard but he makes a reasonable comparison to the A’s dealing Cahill, Gio and Bailey.
Sylow59
9/2/2012-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
His arguements for all three options make sense. Contracts are a two way street. Wright isn’t signing an extention. After the short rest, 6 man rotation, out if the bullpen, … nonsense I can’t see RA wanting to stick around. That and he is 38. Although he got his chance here I can see him going to a contender after next year.
So the spend like the Dodgers option isn’t happening. And even if the mets were owned by Buffet and Gates there’s nothing out there this year. And the throwing money at IFA and draft is. I longer a real option.
Re-signing Wright and RA is a crap shoot as I outlined above.
That leaves trading them this off-season.
Keeping Niese makes sense. But look at the Gio trade. If you could get a ML ready impact player and 2ML ready plus pieces then you really have to pull the trigger.
If the Mets had anything in the minors then there would be better options. But they don’t.
Bryan
9/2/2012-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
Trading Dickey is a viable option because his short term value is high for the team trading for him and his value for a team signing him long-term is uncertain. There are some mid-level prospects that could be used in trades to bring in average major leagers. Also, if they manage to sign David long term trading Wilmer Flores could be on the table b/c his value is starting to go up and he’s not playing 2B so if 3B and 1B are blocked long term there’s no place for him on the Mets.
Stick
9/2/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
wilmer taking off my possibly be helping to push David out the door if the return is there.
a good comparison is the Phils a few years back. they have thome at 1B, who was a star (not home grown, but very popular) on a not particularly good team, with needs. Plus, a big hitting prospect coming up behind him, that could only play his position.
so, they traded arguably their best player. A little older than David of course, but similar concept.
oh, the return? Rowand was the primary return, but they also got Gio Gonzolez in that deal!
Bryan
9/2/2012-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
They’re not adding Zack to the roster. There’s no need to; he’d just be a kid hanging around guys that are still working for another month.
Stick
9/2/2012-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
I would not bring up wheeler if he does not have to be put on the 40 man, but I thought I read that he did (but have also seen no, so I really have no clue).
I will have to go look for the Sherman article, but off top of my head, I could be convinced about Wright (but am not adverse to keeping him as a figurehead!). Dickey, sure can be traded.
Neise though, I am reluctant. I can see the logic to try and get a motherload, but if they can’t then keep him.
Bryan
9/2/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Zack was drafted in ’09 at age 19, so he has 5 years until he needs to be added to the roster, so next off season he’ll need to be added (if he’s not already there).
I agree that if Niese can give you a ton in return he’s tradeable, but I doubt that he can get that big of a return, so I would hold onto him.
Stick
9/2/2012-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I thought the issue with wheeler was he had a birthday before he signed? Something like that.
but I will take your word for it that he does not have to go on the 40 man this winter.
and I expect him up about when Harvey arrived this year.
Neise? An improving 25 YO lefty with good stuff, signed LT to a very favorable contract? Given the state of pitching these days, he should be a very valuable commodity.