Going to go off subject (Pete) and but stay on topic (Mets) ... Luisangel Acuña. Have the Mets decided he will never be an everyday player? They can't keep using him as just a late inning PR and defensive plugin. He needs at bats, in Syracuse if that's the only route. I get it that they want to win this year and he is filling a need but they can't sacrifice his career ... and they're on that road. There must be a cheap vet out there somewhere with a good glove and legs to do the late-inning work. Sorry for the detour from Pete but this is long range bothersome.
That's a good point and it's a proverbial good problem to have. If I'm Mets leadership, I'm mighty glad to have someone of his skills to come off the bench. I'm not so sure that someone who runs as well and fields as well as him is readily available from the scrap heap of available marginal ballplayers. One of Mendoza's virtues is finding playing time for everybody so I'd hold tight for now. I do notice that Mauricio's been in every game since he's been brought up.
He's only had 38 PAs over the last 28 days and 188 over the last calendar year .... 365 days. He recently turned 23. He needs to be getting PAs and just plain balling - somewhere.
I thought he was on the verge of getting penciled in at second, but then the league figured out he would chase high fastballs. I thought maybe Chavez and Burnes would get him into the Rickey Crouch to get under them and give him a chance to explode on them when the pitchers missed down in the zone, but so far he's still pretty upright.
It's an adjustment I'd love to see, though. Acuña has a nice, level swing when he stays within himself. It's not hard to see him peppering line drives and leveraging his speed.
He needs to work on some other aspects of his hitting, of course. But a deeper stance might solve a lot of the north/south issues so he can concentrate on east/west and cut down on his chase.
One thing's for sure: he plays with some snap. Kid's a ballplayer.
All true and kudos to Pete. I do hope that the Mets and Pete come to the conclusion that they need each other, and get a longer deal done. A well deserved day off for a team that is getting it done! So far it has been a very good year!
Nice piece. Glad you mentioned that among other things, Alonso diverts some of the attention away from Soto. About a month ago, some members of the sports media were pecking away at the guy which, at least temporarily, has receded. Getting on base six times in a game helps!
I'm wrong again as Metsies sliced thru the Rockies like a knife thru warm butter....all are hitting except Francisco. I'd like to see them continue against the Nats. And McNeills beautiful swings were like DiMaggios...where did they come from?? Good for Jeff.
Going to go off subject (Pete) and but stay on topic (Mets) ... Luisangel Acuña. Have the Mets decided he will never be an everyday player? They can't keep using him as just a late inning PR and defensive plugin. He needs at bats, in Syracuse if that's the only route. I get it that they want to win this year and he is filling a need but they can't sacrifice his career ... and they're on that road. There must be a cheap vet out there somewhere with a good glove and legs to do the late-inning work. Sorry for the detour from Pete but this is long range bothersome.
That's a good point and it's a proverbial good problem to have. If I'm Mets leadership, I'm mighty glad to have someone of his skills to come off the bench. I'm not so sure that someone who runs as well and fields as well as him is readily available from the scrap heap of available marginal ballplayers. One of Mendoza's virtues is finding playing time for everybody so I'd hold tight for now. I do notice that Mauricio's been in every game since he's been brought up.
His hitting has tailed off to nothing in the last month. He may go down when Vientos is back?
He's only had 38 PAs over the last 28 days and 188 over the last calendar year .... 365 days. He recently turned 23. He needs to be getting PAs and just plain balling - somewhere.
I thought he was on the verge of getting penciled in at second, but then the league figured out he would chase high fastballs. I thought maybe Chavez and Burnes would get him into the Rickey Crouch to get under them and give him a chance to explode on them when the pitchers missed down in the zone, but so far he's still pretty upright.
It's an adjustment I'd love to see, though. Acuña has a nice, level swing when he stays within himself. It's not hard to see him peppering line drives and leveraging his speed.
He needs to work on some other aspects of his hitting, of course. But a deeper stance might solve a lot of the north/south issues so he can concentrate on east/west and cut down on his chase.
One thing's for sure: he plays with some snap. Kid's a ballplayer.
All true and kudos to Pete. I do hope that the Mets and Pete come to the conclusion that they need each other, and get a longer deal done. A well deserved day off for a team that is getting it done! So far it has been a very good year!
Nice piece. Glad you mentioned that among other things, Alonso diverts some of the attention away from Soto. About a month ago, some members of the sports media were pecking away at the guy which, at least temporarily, has receded. Getting on base six times in a game helps!
Can't the Mets get Craig Kimball....Lord knows they need help!!!
I'm wrong again as Metsies sliced thru the Rockies like a knife thru warm butter....all are hitting except Francisco. I'd like to see them continue against the Nats. And McNeills beautiful swings were like DiMaggios...where did they come from?? Good for Jeff.