New York Mets 2015 Season Thread

['7']

Mets are now 5th in the NL in runs scored (618, and sixth in RPG at 4.29).  Of course, one of the teams they trail is Colorado, who does damned near ALL of their damage at home (.301/.350/.490 slash, 5.41 RPG at Coors; .230/.280/.378 slash, 3.49 RPG on the road), and will always see their offensive numbers bloated even with a crappy offense, like the one they have this season. 

 

But considering where this offense was before all of the deals were made, pretty amazing where they now rank in a number of offensive categories:

 

BA:  .247 (13th)

OB%:  .314 (11th)

SLG:  .401 (7th)

OB+SLG:  .716 (8th)

2B:  261 (1st)

3B:  14 (14th)

HR:  158 (T-3rd)

RPG:  4.29 (6th)

 

They could be in the top 3 in RPG by the end of the season...pretty amazing feat for a team that ranked near the bottom in just about everything into late July. 

 

The pitching of course continues to rank highly in most categories.  What's sad is that there's been exactly 32 complete games pitched by the NL this season.  Guys like Sandy Koufax used to pitch 32 complete games in any given season.

 

 

An amazing turnaround, of course games in bandboxes like Colorado and Philly (more coming there) plus the warm weather helped out a lot, but it's still hard to go into these places and put up 9, 10, 14(!) runs but the Mets have done just that. It's also wonderful to see a lineup card and not see Mayberry Jr batting cleanup, as well as far too heavy doses of Eric Campbell and various other dreck. What Sandy has done is beautifully compliment the roster and slide guys into their appropriate roles. Lagares as a 4th outfielder, late inning replacement...perfect, he doesn't get exposed too often at the plate. Picking up a solid lowball crushing pro like Kelly Johnson so we don't have to rely on KKKKirk Nieuwenhuis off the bench as a lefty. Cespedes as the middle of the lineup fastball masher...all the pressure off of Duda and Murph. David Wright steps in...no pressure.

 

Now we don't worry about Flores defense as much since we're a lot better at covering up defensive miscues with our O.

 

if we can get Duda and Cespedes rolling at the same time, that will be absolutely lethal

Edited September 15, 2015 by '7'

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Re: Lagares, sure, it's great that this team no longer has to depend on his bat, and that he can be a defensive replacement/4th outfielder here, but his contract is a potentially serious problem. If he doesn't bounce back by the end of next season, he's going to be overpaid before we know it. I can't kill Sandy for signing him to a "future bargain"-type deal, but it looks like that one isn't going to work out.

Re: Wright, this is exactly what he should be...a complementary player who occasionally comes up with a key hit, but isn't expected to ever carry his team (he was never really that kind of player, but was pretty damned close from 2005-08). One thing that I've always hated is a guy being put in a position where he's bound to fail. Even though Wright is going to be overpaid for what he now is, at least I don't have to see the Mets treat him like the cornerstone rock that he no longer is. Hopefully this is a permanent realization on the Mets' part...best for all parties.

It's really too bad that this team as currently constructed won't get multiple cracks at this...I wish some of these guys were signed through next season. Going to be sad to see a nice chunk of them leave.

[capo]

Harvey cont. For me it's not about the organization it's about the 24 other guys in the room. I hate the Wilpons as much as anyone. But, those guys in that clubhouse have come along way to get where they are...

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

fvck you Koehler. Drill him.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Flukas Duda...arrrrgh.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Another kinda meh-ish outing from Jacob...not horrible, but just not where he was.

['7']

I think deGrom just might be tiring. His velocity seemed down a tick...granted that may also be the Mets telling deGrom to take it easier and not throw as hard.

 

ok, they get their mulligan. We weren't going to win every game

Edited September 16, 2015 by '7'

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Yeah, they've basically been winning 3 out of 4 games for about a 50-game stretch. They're due for a 5-5 over 10 games kind of run. Still sucks to see deGrom get lit up. The only starter who has been consistent lately is Colon. Everyone else has been up and down. Just hope deGrom and Harvey are at their best in the Dodger series. Not much hope of winning that series if they aren't.

Only quibble I have with this game is that Koehler or someone else wasn't plunked. Still time I guess.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[NJDevs4978]

Only quibble I have with this game is that Koehler or someone else wasn't plunked. Still time I guess.

 

I haven't been able to watch most of the game but on NYFS they said Goddel at least tried (and failed lol)...I don't know if he went after Koehler or one of their big hitters though.

Edited September 16, 2015 by NJDevs4978

[NJDevs4978]

I think deGrom just might be tiring. His velocity seemed down a tick...granted that may also be the Mets telling deGrom to take it easier and not throw as hard.

 

ok, they get their mulligan. We weren't going to win every game

 

Yeah obviously they were due for a loss...I hope they at least win tomorrow though, it'd chap my hyde a little to lose two straight series to the Marlins who love to stick our noses in it when they're out of the race in September.

 

And it looks like Dee Gordon is the new Adam LaRoche

 

Of course now Dario Alvarez limps off...our spate of bullpen injuries continues.

Edited September 16, 2015 by NJDevs4978

['7']

Yeah obviously they were due for a loss...I hope they at least win tomorrow though, it'd chap my hyde a little to lose two straight series to the Marlins who love to stick our noses in it when they're out of the race in September.

 

And it looks like Dee Gordon is the new Adam LaRoche

 

Of course now Dario Alvarez limps off...our spate of bullpen injuries continues.

 

Which means an even longer look at O'Flaherty

Tonight left a sour taste in my mouth, not only did the Marlins intentionally drill Cespedes but they pretty much had their way all day and yukked it up. Mets need to come out tomorrow and just bomb this team

[NJDevs4978]

Which means an even longer look at O'Flaherty

Tonight left a sour taste in my mouth, not only did the Marlins intentionally drill Cespedes but they pretty much had their way all day and yukked it up. Mets need to come out tomorrow and just bomb this team

 

Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN  1m1 minute ago

Terry Collins says Mets will "answer in our own due time" for Yoenis Cespedes getting hit.

 

lol I guess he just guaranteed pre-game warnings tomorrow

['7']

eh. Not loving that Terry just came out and said it. But I feel that the Mets at this point just need to focus on winning (and maybe run up the score if they can to prove a point) and not get involved in a game of bean ball. Save that for next April.

[NJDevs4978]

eh. Not loving that Terry just came out and said it. But I feel that the Mets at this point just need to focus on winning (and maybe run up the score if they can to prove a point) and not get involved in a game of bean ball. Save that for next April.

 

Or next March lol...but either way it'd be weird to have them retaliate next year for a guy that might not even be on the team even if you wait till next year to go after Stanton.  So the right time kind of has to be tomorrow (well really it had to be today though deGrom basically admitted he couldn't find the right time to do it).

Edited September 16, 2015 by NJDevs4978

[Derek21]

 

Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN  1m1 minute ago

Terry Collins says Mets will "answer in our own due time" for Yoenis Cespedes getting hit.

 

lol I guess he just guaranteed pre-game warnings tomorrow

 

 

I like that. It shows that the manager has his team's back. The Marlins have been a thorn in the side of the Mets. They should retaliate. Just how I see it. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Or next March lol...but either way it'd be weird to have them retaliate next year for a guy that might not even be on the team even if you wait till next year to go after Stanton.  So the right time kind of has to be tomorrow (well really it had to be today though deGrom basically admitted he couldn't find the right time to do it).

 

First off, I have to admit, I really hate when pitchers pull the "Shawn Estes"...basically not really wanting to hit a guy, so they fake it by throwing well behind the guy.  Kind of like the guy who allows himself to be held back by someone in a scrum because he doesn't really want to fight.  That sh!t fools no one.  I'm not going to kill Goeddel for doing that, but at the same time if your heart's not in it, don't screw your team over by getting issued a warning. 

 

Obviously once a quote is out there it can get picked apart to death (and they always do in today's world), but it wouldn't surprise me if Stanton gets popped next season.  Colon's not really the kind of guy you want hitting someone, coming off last night, based on a couple of things: 

 

1) Colon is about as control specialist as control specialist gets, which means his hitting someone is going to be beyond blatant.  The last thing the Mets need is for an ump with an itchy trigger finger deciding that he's just going to eject Colon just because. 

2) The Mets have gotten just 10 innings from their starters the past couple of days, so even though they have an off-day tomorrow, they need Colon to give them 7+.  Hopefully the Mets get a big enough lead where someone who comes in after Colon can throw the eye-for-an-eye pitch, if that's what the Mets really want to do (nip this in the bud right now).   

 

Though on the surface it's easy to like TC's comments, I don't like him making those comments publicly because it might neuter his team...like you say, now the Mets have to deal with pre-game warnings, and sometimes these umpires overreact to normal inside pitches under these circumstances because their dander's up. 

 

 

As for last night's game...had a slight feeling that it might not be their night after that first inning (bad AB by Travis there, but I'm not going to nitpick every little thing when a team is winning at a .723 clip over 47 games coming into last night), but I was still thinking "maybe" up until Dunn struck out Granderson, Cespedes, and Murph.  Good news is not only did the Dodgers lose 5-4, but it took them 16 innings to do it, and they used 11 pitchers in the game. 

 

Glad to see Wright hit another double and draw a pair of walks.  I think Wright needs to reinvent himself as a #2 hitter who can be a better version of Murph...a guy who can hit a lot of singles and doubles, pop an occasional HR (say 10-15 a year), and get on base.  If Wright can slash .290/.370/.420 going forward, and not be a disaster in the clutch, I can live with him being overpaid. 

 

And speaking of Murph, same old issues:  .315 OB%.  OB+SLG over the past four seasons (including this one):  .735, .734, .735, .734.  He's pretty good, but he just never seems to evolve, and still does some boneheaded things.  It's going to be a significant risk to hand his job to Herrera (I keep Kelly Johnson as insurance...he's versatile and can be kept for very reasonable dollars and term, though his 2011-14 seasons (played for six teams) were a little shaky), but I can't give 31-year-old (at the start of next season) Murph $10+ million a year for 4+ seasons.  I'd much rather see that money go towards keeping Cespedes. 

 

Duda has really had an awful year...way too many rotten stretches.  Really hope he's not the Mets' first baseman next season...I know he can have his bursts here and there, but I just don't trust him at all in big games. 

 

Sucks about Alvarez...Mets could've given him some outings to see if there was something there.  He's in a weird place...terrific numbers in the minors, but he'll already be 27 by the start of next season...he should get a good look next year in spring training. 

 

Two pretty good outings for Parnell in a row...bad news in that TC and the Mets will probably give him a chance in a higher-leverage situation sooner than later.  I say keep him where he is...there are garbage innings to be filled, and it's a good thing that there's Stauffers, O'Flahertys, and Parnells to throw them.  Still think Stauffer should be throwing 2-4 innings at a clip. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Colon with some bad two-strike pitches tonight. Sometimes he throws some meatballs. Nice throw from Lagares to prevent a potential implosion inning.

Seems like the Mets' offense has been dying a bit at Citi lately.

[NJDevs4978]

Fvck the Marlins

 

Just please don't make this interesting by Monday...so many of these races have changed on a dime this year (Rangers/Astros, Yankees/Jays) I'll be fighting paranoia till the Yankee circus leaves town this weekend at least.

Edited September 17, 2015 by NJDevs4978

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

One of those games where Colon reminds you how hittable he can be...and how small his margin for error is...and why it'd be scary if he ever got a postseason start. But he does get a lot out of his stuff, considering it doesn't really fool anyone. And the Mets wouldn't be where they are without his lights-out results in his last handful of starts.

I give the Marlins credit for having some fight. That's a hell of a lot more than I can say for the Braves.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[NJDevs4978]

I give the Marlins credit for having some fight. That's a hell of a lot more than I can say for the Braves.

 

I'll only give them credit if they show that fight the next four days against the Nats

 

(although to be fair they did just beat them in a series, but it seems like their troll meter's on now)

Edited September 17, 2015 by NJDevs4978

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Fvck the Marlins

Just please don't make this interesting by Monday...so many of these races have changed on a dime this year (Rangers/Astros, Yankees/Jays) I'll be fighting paranoia till the Yankee circus leaves town this weekend at least.

A little evening-out going on right now...Mets won a game against the Braves they had really had no business winning. Best thing about having a nice cushion is that a few losses aren't the end of the world.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

I'll only give them credit if they show that fight the next four days against the Nats

(although to be fair they did just beat them in a series, but it seems like their troll meter's on now)

I think they're still trying no matter who the opponent is...they'll have Stanton coming back next season and I think they're trying to build something towards 2016.

I'll be pissed if the Yankees sweep the Mets...not because I'm worried about the Nats, but because it's just weak...and though it won't be fair, it'll feel like "same old Mets". In fairness, every time this team has needed to answer the bell, they have.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[NJDevs4978]

The only problem with this lead is it's not so much 8.5 up with 17 to play as it is 5.5 up with 14 to play cause just being within three going to that last series gives them (and our gremlins) life at worst and at best makes us extend ourselves needlessly.

Edited September 17, 2015 by NJDevs4978

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

I can't go there with the worry. The Nats have to show me that they're actually capable of not stumbling yet again, in a season that's been nothing but a great big stumble for them.

Herrera wearing Doc's old #16...I'd be lying if I said that didn't look weird. Doc will always be 16 to me.

And who knows, this could be a good thing, in that TC can remind these guys that hey, we're not done just yet, we've still got to win some ballgames. You win 8 in a row and 34 out of 47, it's easy to start thinking you're unbeatable. Sometimes those little reminders that you're not can be a positive.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[NJDevs4978]

I can't go there with the worry. The Nats have to show me that they're actually capable of not stumbling yet again, in a season that's been nothing but a great big stumble for them.

Herrera wearing Doc's old #16...I'd be lying if I said that didn't look weird. Doc will always be 16 to me.

 

It's just weird to me cause he was 2 early in the year, but now that Uribe's here gotta give him something else I guess.

 

The Mets have had a few of those double-take uniform choices, with Luis Lopez (among others) wearing #17.  I didn't so much mind Nomo wearing #16 cause at least he was a real ML pitcher and it was his number anyway though he only lasted a minute and a half here and didn't do much anyway.