I heard Soto was advocating for Marte to come back. He was speaking about his clubhouse fit being a leader and all that. I hope he won’t be influencing Stearns with that talk. He was also advocating for Pete too which I hope doesn’t fall on deaf ears. How much should we read into the 50/50 Diaz talk? Are the Mets waiting for others to make offers first and then decide? Are they getting that luxury? Losing him would be a big ass hole to fill and now that he just won closer of the year? What else does the guy have to do to prove his worth? Give him the fifth year. There’s not a FA on the market that can match him plus he has proven he can pitch in NY which we all know is something not every guy can do.
I feel like Díaz is playing the market right now, which is what he should be doing. Think I might answer one of these questions in a little more detail on the short pod I'm dropping tomorrow AM on Patreon, James!
The Squirrel was a more than useful utility guy through much of last season, but if he's getting limited outfield reps going forward, that starts to really clog things up. He's not going to be a late-inning defensive replacement at second or third, that's for sure. 😆
Where else does he play? If he starts over Acuña at second, we lose a lot of glove. Same if he starts in center no matter who pencils in there. He's not starting at third over anybody, either.
It's probably a wash defensively if he starts in left over Nimmo or in right over Soto, but we lose a lot of stick, so why play McNeil at all?
It's tough to see what his role is on the roster other than left-handed DH.
It's not. The issue is, he's sideways defensively in left, a downgrade in center, an upgrade in right, a downgrade at second and third, and a possible upgrade at first depending on how you look at it. A depth piece should be a late-inning defensive upgrade everywhere.
But it might work out. I think he was dealing with an injury coming down the stretch, and the surgery should clear that up. I hope.
And if he's hitting, that changes things a bit. He could definitely be part of a four-man rotation in the outfield if we don't bring in a centerfielder, and if we do, he could rotate with Nimmo and Soto at the corners.
But then there's the problem of having three left-handers for two outfield spots. Not necessarily determinative. But definitely something Stearns will factor in.
I'd give him a higher rating at second that you do. He was my favorite player for a good while, came up unhyped and could hit. Loved the knobless bat. But, it's time to turn the page on both him and Marte. Sorry!
McNeil is a solid second baseman, no question about that. But he doesn't have Acuña's range, and that's a factor with Pete at first (I'm assuming we re-sign Alonso).
You bring up an interesting point. I'm skeptical about to what extent a second baseman with excellent range can compensate for a first baseman who lacks range. If a ball is hit a foot or two to Alonso's right that a quicker/more mobile first baseman would get to, you're implying that the slick fielding second baseman would get to that ball. Isn't that asking a lot? Would even a highly mobile second baseman range that far? Reminds me of a play this past year when, I think it was Clay Holmes, stood and watched the play instead of covering first.
Yeah, Clay didn't get over on a play. Just froze. Sugar did it, too. But that's different.
What I'm saying is that balls that might go through the hole with McNeil at second are less likely to go through with Acuña there. He's quicker and has better range than the Squirrel.
Nothing is going to make Pete quicker, or at least appreciably quicker. He is who he is. But it's possible to make the hole on the right side smaller.
Don't see what you mean by the "willfully bad" situation on third. They had several prospects compete for the position. One player came out on top...what's so bad? I also don't know why you don't give Baty a little credit. He fields well and if we take his last few months as representative, hits well too.
Díaz has been very clear: he'll go to the team that offers him the best contract, and he'll only stay if the Mets match that offer. Does this show any love for the Mets? I don't think so.
I heard Soto was advocating for Marte to come back. He was speaking about his clubhouse fit being a leader and all that. I hope he won’t be influencing Stearns with that talk. He was also advocating for Pete too which I hope doesn’t fall on deaf ears. How much should we read into the 50/50 Diaz talk? Are the Mets waiting for others to make offers first and then decide? Are they getting that luxury? Losing him would be a big ass hole to fill and now that he just won closer of the year? What else does the guy have to do to prove his worth? Give him the fifth year. There’s not a FA on the market that can match him plus he has proven he can pitch in NY which we all know is something not every guy can do.
I feel like Díaz is playing the market right now, which is what he should be doing. Think I might answer one of these questions in a little more detail on the short pod I'm dropping tomorrow AM on Patreon, James!
Diaz is a warrior stud for sure. Losing him will be a big problem & exacerbate weakness in bullpen.
He's got Stearns over a barrel. They'll just have to pay up.
The Squirrel was a more than useful utility guy through much of last season, but if he's getting limited outfield reps going forward, that starts to really clog things up. He's not going to be a late-inning defensive replacement at second or third, that's for sure. 😆
Where else does he play? If he starts over Acuña at second, we lose a lot of glove. Same if he starts in center no matter who pencils in there. He's not starting at third over anybody, either.
It's probably a wash defensively if he starts in left over Nimmo or in right over Soto, but we lose a lot of stick, so why play McNeil at all?
It's tough to see what his role is on the roster other than left-handed DH.
His role could be depth at 5 positions. That's not a bad thing, really.
It's not. The issue is, he's sideways defensively in left, a downgrade in center, an upgrade in right, a downgrade at second and third, and a possible upgrade at first depending on how you look at it. A depth piece should be a late-inning defensive upgrade everywhere.
But it might work out. I think he was dealing with an injury coming down the stretch, and the surgery should clear that up. I hope.
And if he's hitting, that changes things a bit. He could definitely be part of a four-man rotation in the outfield if we don't bring in a centerfielder, and if we do, he could rotate with Nimmo and Soto at the corners.
But then there's the problem of having three left-handers for two outfield spots. Not necessarily determinative. But definitely something Stearns will factor in.
I'd give him a higher rating at second that you do. He was my favorite player for a good while, came up unhyped and could hit. Loved the knobless bat. But, it's time to turn the page on both him and Marte. Sorry!
McNeil is a solid second baseman, no question about that. But he doesn't have Acuña's range, and that's a factor with Pete at first (I'm assuming we re-sign Alonso).
You bring up an interesting point. I'm skeptical about to what extent a second baseman with excellent range can compensate for a first baseman who lacks range. If a ball is hit a foot or two to Alonso's right that a quicker/more mobile first baseman would get to, you're implying that the slick fielding second baseman would get to that ball. Isn't that asking a lot? Would even a highly mobile second baseman range that far? Reminds me of a play this past year when, I think it was Clay Holmes, stood and watched the play instead of covering first.
Yeah, Clay didn't get over on a play. Just froze. Sugar did it, too. But that's different.
What I'm saying is that balls that might go through the hole with McNeil at second are less likely to go through with Acuña there. He's quicker and has better range than the Squirrel.
Nothing is going to make Pete quicker, or at least appreciably quicker. He is who he is. But it's possible to make the hole on the right side smaller.
Don't see what you mean by the "willfully bad" situation on third. They had several prospects compete for the position. One player came out on top...what's so bad? I also don't know why you don't give Baty a little credit. He fields well and if we take his last few months as representative, hits well too.
Díaz has been very clear: he'll go to the team that offers him the best contract, and he'll only stay if the Mets match that offer. Does this show any love for the Mets? I don't think so.
I love McNeil, he's a great Met, but maybe it's time to let him go and explore internal or external options at second base.