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Matthew Davis's avatar

This team is so fun to watch!!! #LFGM

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Kevin J. Rogers's avatar

What gets me about this team is the chemistry. It's (pardon the pun) amazing. Over the length of the season, it's going to be the essential factor in getting there, the force multiplier to get the most out of a very talented roster.

I mean, aside from Lindor, Alonso and (now) Acuna, no one is really hitting. But we're getting hits in key spots and winning ballgames. It's special.

And we're about to get even stronger. Manaea coming back is going to be especially big. Once he's fully up to speed, we're in a six-man rotation with everyone going six- or seven-plus instead of five-plus, and then it's really cranking.

I wouldn't want to try and come into Citi Field and try and play us in the second half this year when our roster is full and everyone is in midseason form. Talk about a gauntlet. #LGM 🍎

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Peter Mat's avatar

BRAVO METS!!! TAKE A CURTAIN CALL!!!

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JL's avatar

La temporada no ha hecho más que comenzar y sabemos que va a haber momentos dulces, como el actual, y otros menos buenos. Espero que si una mala racha llega, nuestro discurso no cambie radicalmente: exceso de expectativas, alineación descompensada, et, etc. En los Mets somos muy dados a pasar de la euforia a la desesperación en un instante. LGM desde Barcelona.

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Joel's avatar

Nice piece. I'd only quibble that I'm not as confident as you that Nimmo turns it around...sure hope he does because he looks like he's hit bottom. I wonder if Stearns/Mendoza are seriously thinking about relegating him to a part time role. Now, obviously it hasn't hurt us (yet) but we're getting nothing offensively out of center field. I'd love to see Acuna out there, which would make some room for McNeil at 2nd and left and Baty.

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John Saponara's avatar

I could see a catching platoon between Torrens and Alvy mixed in with some time at DH for Alvarez when he's not catching. Gotta do what's best for the team!

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Howard Bunsis's avatar

I will be mr downer

And the downer is the return of Alvarez.

He is simply a poor defensive catcher, and his hitting is all or nothing

In 44 plate appearances in the minors:

Avg 180

OPS 529

11 k including 4 k in 8 Syracuse plate appearances

1 HR and 5 GIDP

On defense, he threw out 4 of 16 runners, including 0/3 in AAA

In MLB last year, threw out 18%; it was 13% in 2023

This year, Senger has thrown out 3 of 5

Torrens has thrown out 5/11 for 45%

And no way does he make the play Senger made to tag out Nick yesterday

I know you all love Alvarez, but right now, he is not going to help us

My hope is the Mendy plays Torrens as the #1, which I have a feeling he may do.

What will hurt the Mets is Alvarez playing most games.

He strikes out because all he does is swing out of his shoes, and he is really poor defensively.

I know how this will not be popular, but to me, keep him in the minors.

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Joel's avatar

Not only is your idea bound not to be popular, it also makes no sense. By all accounts Alvarez excels at pitch framing and calling a game; its preposterous to say he's "really poor defensively". He's also very young and has a lot of power. He's gotta play.

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Howard Bunsis's avatar

No sense?

This guy cannot throw anybody out, and cannot block a ball in the dirt.

By every objective measure, Torrens is a superior defensive catcher to Alvarez.

What Alvarez has is power - which comes with tons of strikeouts

Torrens makes contact

I predict that at first, Alvarez will not play more than 1/2 the time - until he proves he can throw out runners and block balls in the dirt.

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Joel's avatar

He's a very talented 23 year old who might turn out to be an outstanding power hitting catcher. Sorry bud, but he's gotta play. Torrens is an excellent backup and Senger has a great arm.

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Howard Bunsis's avatar

i hope you are right;

watching him up close in spring training, he seems like he needs more seasoning. Alfonzo (his country-mate) told him last year to cut down on his swing, let the ball travel, and use the big part of the field. He did not listen.

Let's hope he listens now

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Jack's avatar

Not so sure that Torrens is the back-up catcher anymore. I think Alvarez will get the benefit of the doubt when he's back as the #1 but he must produce - offensively and defensively. 0-4 & 3Ks in AAA isn't a good omen. We'll see. LGM!

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