I suspected Shaun would implode and after the 1st home run I wondered if there'd be a second....and third.
Francisco has gone down to minors to try tonfix his swing but he has no earthly idea what he's doing at this point. The Mets need to keep the other catcher and find....a Gary Carter. Just as Gary was the final perfect piece to make a Mets 1986 World Series team, this one needs the same. But Francisco needs a change of scenery as he's just not cutting It. What is Mets record when Torrenz plays? Francisco????
I had to torture myself by looking up Vientos' 2024 post season: "Mark Vientos had a batting average of .327 with 18 hits, 5 homers, 14 RBIs and 8 runs scored in 13 games in the 2024 postseason."
Baty, Alvarez and Vientos are busts. They were supposed to be our farm system’s shining gems. Instead they are worthless on the field and in the trading market. Counting on them as our next generation has proved to be disastrous.
When Atlanta brings their prospects up, they are well trained and produce immediately. It's unbelievable. I think it's because they develop the highly ATHLETIC baseball players....look at the ones they have now so vital to their success.
So it looks like Vientos is already back to mid season form….
Still think if you are going to see success from Alvarez it will be when you move him from behind the plate. DH? First? I don’t know - but he gets injured too much and I think the demands of catching are too much for him.
Good article. Yes, both players are headed in different directions. Most importantly, Frankie just doesn't get it. I don't know if he is just a slow learner or if the hitting coaching is just lame. But the bottom line is that Alvarez is making the same hitting mistakes that he has made ever since he first donned a Mets' uniform. He can't hit a fastball and loves the "high one".......... can't touch it, though!!! What's obvious (at least to me) is that Francisco needs to learn to shorten his swing (at least when he is confronted with two strikes on him). He has not adapted accordingly. It has now been five years, and if anything, Alvy has regressed. Regrettably, I think we may need to move on!!!
Bichette, to me, is making too much money. He might be playing better, and the burn of that is a bit less painful. But it is still too much money. You need to be a superstar to be worth that. Maybe. Yeah, that's a lot of money for one player even then.
And he still has not played that way consistently. It was one of multiple dubious moves by Boy Genius, moves after missing the playoffs by a game that come off a bit desperate.
But it is what it is. As to catcher, if you can get offense in other ways, and I guess you can, the catching situation is adequate. Alvarez is disposable, but not sure who is out there worthwhile to dispose of him for. So you might just keep him.
Last night is a reminder that this team is flawed. And that the White Sox are a pretty good team. They will score off relief. They will hit home runs. The main question probably was leaving SM in too long. But he is a vet and doing well now, so the calculus is "do you trust him or stretch a questionable pen?"
Anyway, honestly, I hope the White Sox get to the playoffs, and I'm not totally upset they won. The Mets can go 1-2 and beat some other team later on.
Joe, excellent point re: Bichette. This one is going to come back to bite us as soon as the new CBA is formalized. I.e., Uncle Stevie and Boy Genius are going to have to figure out a way to gradually get down to the salary cap constraints as per upcoming (inevitable) CBA requisites!!! And Bichette's contract may be an albatross around their necks!!!
Yes Alvarez is struggling but the catching position is very thin of serviceable players. To find a catcher that can hit and defend is almost impossible. If a team has that player they are not giving them up because of how hard it is to find a serviceable catcher. Torrens should be considered the Mets first choice for next year given his defense. If he hits that’s a bonus. A catchers first responsibility is defense and calling the game. Offense is secondary. I would keep Alvarez as the backup because to find anyone better won’t be that easy. Teams don’t give up good catchers.
Well, the Sox had lotsa fun.
I suspected Shaun would implode and after the 1st home run I wondered if there'd be a second....and third.
Francisco has gone down to minors to try tonfix his swing but he has no earthly idea what he's doing at this point. The Mets need to keep the other catcher and find....a Gary Carter. Just as Gary was the final perfect piece to make a Mets 1986 World Series team, this one needs the same. But Francisco needs a change of scenery as he's just not cutting It. What is Mets record when Torrenz plays? Francisco????
I had to torture myself by looking up Vientos' 2024 post season: "Mark Vientos had a batting average of .327 with 18 hits, 5 homers, 14 RBIs and 8 runs scored in 13 games in the 2024 postseason."
Baty, Alvarez and Vientos are busts. They were supposed to be our farm system’s shining gems. Instead they are worthless on the field and in the trading market. Counting on them as our next generation has proved to be disastrous.
When Atlanta brings their prospects up, they are well trained and produce immediately. It's unbelievable. I think it's because they develop the highly ATHLETIC baseball players....look at the ones they have now so vital to their success.
Yeah, Syracuse
Bary had a good game last night. All 3 should go to a low pressure market....small market.
Yup, big disappointments. Alvarez makes you think he's turned a corner and then falls back. Looks like Vientos is going to be a one year wonder.
Look at the batting averages at this point in the season. Pathetic, certainly not athletic!
So it looks like Vientos is already back to mid season form….
Still think if you are going to see success from Alvarez it will be when you move him from behind the plate. DH? First? I don’t know - but he gets injured too much and I think the demands of catching are too much for him.
Good article. Yes, both players are headed in different directions. Most importantly, Frankie just doesn't get it. I don't know if he is just a slow learner or if the hitting coaching is just lame. But the bottom line is that Alvarez is making the same hitting mistakes that he has made ever since he first donned a Mets' uniform. He can't hit a fastball and loves the "high one".......... can't touch it, though!!! What's obvious (at least to me) is that Francisco needs to learn to shorten his swing (at least when he is confronted with two strikes on him). He has not adapted accordingly. It has now been five years, and if anything, Alvy has regressed. Regrettably, I think we may need to move on!!!
Bichette, to me, is making too much money. He might be playing better, and the burn of that is a bit less painful. But it is still too much money. You need to be a superstar to be worth that. Maybe. Yeah, that's a lot of money for one player even then.
And he still has not played that way consistently. It was one of multiple dubious moves by Boy Genius, moves after missing the playoffs by a game that come off a bit desperate.
But it is what it is. As to catcher, if you can get offense in other ways, and I guess you can, the catching situation is adequate. Alvarez is disposable, but not sure who is out there worthwhile to dispose of him for. So you might just keep him.
Last night is a reminder that this team is flawed. And that the White Sox are a pretty good team. They will score off relief. They will hit home runs. The main question probably was leaving SM in too long. But he is a vet and doing well now, so the calculus is "do you trust him or stretch a questionable pen?"
Anyway, honestly, I hope the White Sox get to the playoffs, and I'm not totally upset they won. The Mets can go 1-2 and beat some other team later on.
Sorry Joe........
There goes any hope of reaching .500!?!?!?!
Joe, excellent point re: Bichette. This one is going to come back to bite us as soon as the new CBA is formalized. I.e., Uncle Stevie and Boy Genius are going to have to figure out a way to gradually get down to the salary cap constraints as per upcoming (inevitable) CBA requisites!!! And Bichette's contract may be an albatross around their necks!!!
Yes Alvarez is struggling but the catching position is very thin of serviceable players. To find a catcher that can hit and defend is almost impossible. If a team has that player they are not giving them up because of how hard it is to find a serviceable catcher. Torrens should be considered the Mets first choice for next year given his defense. If he hits that’s a bonus. A catchers first responsibility is defense and calling the game. Offense is secondary. I would keep Alvarez as the backup because to find anyone better won’t be that easy. Teams don’t give up good catchers.