Creative Jay Bruce trades that could solve multiple Mets problems
Part of the Mets’ many tasks to gain credibility and perhaps contention is to unclutter their corner-outfield glut, so among other things Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo cease playing center field. The Mets say they are built around their rotation, but those are just more hollow words until they prioritize defense. Their best future team...
How the Mets can save Amed Rosario
Amed Rosario should be sent to the minor leagues. This is not about punishment. This is about planning, namely for the future. For in the present, Rosario just is not getting better in the majors. He was brought up a year ago this month because the Mets wanted to change the conversation away from a...
What the Mets can learn from the overachieving Rays
The Rays had 13 players hit more than six homers last year. Of those, only Kevin Kiermaier (15) remains. Their three pitchers who made their most starts (Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and Jake Odorizzi) are gone. Their three starter prospects most equipped to help this year — Anthony Banda, Jose DeLeon and Brett Honeywell —...
Broken Mets promises define team’s work at trade deadline
The Mets made three promises at the trade deadline: 1. They would be open-minded about trading their best starting pitchers, yet it was difficult to find an executive who felt they ever engaged the Mets seriously on Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard or even Steven Matz. 2. They would eat money to make better trades. They...
Was biggest trade-deadline mistake a deal that wasn’t made?
Daniel Mengden began this season with a 2.91 ERA in his first 12 starts with a .606 OPS against. In case you don’t know, Mengden plays for the A’s. Also, those results look similar to what Zack Wheeler has produced over the last 11 starts — 3.20 ERA with a .589 OPS against. Mengden followed...
The trade-deadline moves that haven’t happened yet
This has been celebrating New Year’s Eve on Dec. 27. The ball will drop on the trade deadline on July 31, but a lot of the intrigue and drama has drained away. Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Kelvin Herrera, Mike Moustakas, Brad Hand, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Jeurys Familia already have been traded. Unless the...
Cardinals’ pitching bust could be intriguing fit for Mets
The Cardinals finally could not tolerate the poor pitching of Greg Holland, despite their $14 million investment on him this year. He was designated for assignment Friday. It will be interesting to see if a contender reaches out hoping to fix him for an immediate benefit. If not, I wonder if the Mets might make...
Zack Wheeler resurgence puts Mets in tricky trade position
The Mets have a Zack Wheeler conundrum. He is the one starting pitcher they have been serious about trading. Except not. They are doing the work, talking to many clubs about what could be had for Wheeler. But the Mets have seen a transformation in the righty the past few months in mental approach and...
Padres’ interest in Mets’ star pitchers shows another trade option
The Padres checked in on Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. (The Athletic’s Dennis Lin first reported the Syndergaard contact.) San Diego, despite current non-contention, would consider a starter with multiple years to free agency because the Padres see themselves improving next year and being contenders in 2020. That is why San Diego would have more...
Giants put an end to any Madison Bumgarner sweepstakes
The two starters who potentially could have changed the quality of this trade deadline are Jacob deGrom and Madison Bumgarner. But one talent evaluator said of deGrom: “The Mets are open to it, but they are not open to it, if you know what I mean. The Mets will listen, but I don’t think anyone...
The Mets are a joke and refuse to admit their real problem
The Mets are the organization that shoots itself in the foot then goes in search of the gunman. They think bad things are happening to them rather than because of themselves. “Is there any treatment for a virus? You just have to let it run its course.” That was Mickey Callaway speaking about — no...
Mets own complete control of Jacob deGrom’s destiny
WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom elevated himself from an already outstanding starter to something more than that this year by commanding inner-half fastballs better and throwing his slider and changeup more frequently and with greater precision. He mentioned “control” of any pitch at any time for showing up as an All-Star with a major league best...
deGrom’s agent explains near-demand that may not get results
WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom’s representative Brodie Van Wagenen inched close to a demand that the Mets either pay or trade his client, stopping just short, but making it clear he wants the team to make a major decision about its ace. Speaking Monday at an availability for All-Star players at Nationals Park, Van Wagenen called...
Cardinals pitcher enters radar as Yankees and more seek help
WASHINGTON — Contending teams pursuing starting pitching continue to operate as if Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard are not moving before the trade deadline, forcing clubs such as the Yankees to mull these questions in an ace-less marketplace: 1. Do they prioritize the kind of starter unlikely to be bothered by pennant-race intensity and likely...
