New York Mets 2018 season thread

[NJDevs4978]

lol they hold on bent over on one knee at the end with a 7-6 finish

['7']

17 minutes ago, NJDevs4978 said:

lol they hold on bent over on one knee at the end with a 7-6 finish

Getting out of these awful slumps is sometimes an ugly task but they found a way to do it. Just glad it wasn't a walkfest adventure with Familia. I just pray to god this is the start of something for Conforto

This division is shaping up to be pretty bad. Would be shocked if 90 wins it. 86 may win it.

Edited May 8, 2018 by '7'

['7']

Harvey traded to the Reds for Devin Mesoraco

[NJDevs4978]

lol good I hope Harvey's pitching tonight or tomorrow   When the **** did Frazier get hurt though?  Sheesh.

 

Edited May 8, 2018 by NJDevs4978

[NJDevs4978]

3 minutes ago, '7' said:

Harvey traded to the Reds for Devin Mesoraco

Sort of a fitting deal in a way, two guys who used to actually be relevant now on the farthest reaches of irrelevance.

Edited May 8, 2018 by NJDevs4978

[Hi, I'm VALUE!]

Seems like a win for the Mets in that they had a public spat with Harvey and then someone actually GAVE THEM something in return for him instead of waiting for him to be a free agent.  Devin's gotten a golden second chance opportunity to try and get back in relevance too, works for both sides.  And I absolutely CAN'T see the Harvey/Reds relationship working out with such a hitter's friendly ballpark and such a bad team behind him.

['7']

Don't want to dump on the guy too much but it looks as if it's over for Jason Vargas. He's no longer capable of getting any major league hitters out in any situation. I'm thinking he may retire soon. He really needs to. Last season 2nd half plus this season...a disaster and he's not young. It looks over

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Mesoraco sucks and has barely played the last four seasons (113 GP), but even a good GM wasn't getting d!ck for Harvey. 

And Vargas can fvck off.  Loser.

EDIT:  I take the above back...Heaven forbid Sandy actually do ANY homework before throwing (limited) money away.  

Edited May 8, 2018 by Colorado Rockies 1976

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

JESUS fvckING CHRIST WHY IS JOSE fvckING REYES STILL HERE?!  WHY?!

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

On ‎5‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 7:04 PM, thecoffeecake said:

What's going wrong in Queens (that's a sincere question)?

Technically, from a pure talent to expectation standpoint, not much...in that 18-16 is really about where this team should be.  It wasn't that good to begin with...as has often been the Met way for years, they cross their fingers and hope for the best.  As far as the starting pitching went, it was definitely reasonable to expect Syndergaard and deGrom to be solid to very good (Thor's been a bit maddening in that his results have a way of coming up short given his stuff, and hopefully deGrom is not in for an injury-plagued season).  But no one could really say what the Mets could expect to get from Matz, Wheeler, Harvey, and Vargas, and the Mets took a "Well now we have our five aces pitching together" approach, with only a very shaky Vargas as immediate insurance.  The Vargas signing was especially infuriating because the guy had an ERA of 6.66 over his last 16 starts of 2017 and was clubbed around to the tune of a .926 OPS over that time frame...there were clear signs that Vargas could be in for a bad year in 2018, and not only did Sandy just completely ignore them (plenty on him later), he actually signed Vargas to TWO seasons.  Just a brutal deal...sure, it's early, but far too often the Mets' GM seems to do absolutely NO homework on some of these signings...he almost seems to make moves on a "See, we're doing something, really we are!" basis (seemingly just to get people off his back for forever being so damned meek, passive and often disinterested).  Just about every recent move he's made has been questionable from the start.

And if you look through this thread and others you'll see where I really have a problem with Sandy, but it's mostly that he refuses to ever bring in a different type of hitter...with him, it's always low-BA high-K good-power guys...the Mets just don't hit the ball enough, and it seems like so many times when they really need just ONE single, they can't get it...but you'll see PLENTY of Ks.  One of his earlier signings (Curtis Granderson) fit this bill perfectly.  Lucas Duda was a similar kind of hitter, and of course he got to stay here seemingly forever.  And now it's Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce (AGAIN), even though Bruce's RF D is an absolute killer, and that touches on another problem...Sandy basically just ignores defense (and everything else, as long as guys show a little HR potential).  The Mets have been a one-dimensional team for much of Sandy's regime, and poorly constructed, because most guys don't hit for good averages and many of them don't get on base, so it's lots of solo HRs, but with tons of Ks in key spots, because the hitters Sandy collects are forever vulnerable that way (especially against decent and better arms).  It's part of the absurd sabermetric "an out is an out is an out" mentality that Sandy-types subscribe to, and it's pure bullsh!t.  Get me guys who can put the fvcking bat on the ball and the ball in play, who actually dare to take a different approach when they get down two strikes.  Cespedes and too many other Mets just take big ol' HR swings no matter what...there's a new breed of hitter who takes a "I'm not getting cheated on any count" mentality, and they really suck.  These guys would rather kill gnats than adjust to shifts.  And Sandy just can't seem to stock up on enough of those hitters. 

This has also been discussed, but the Mets seem to have a hell of a time moving on from ANYONE, no matter what.  Why is Jose Reyes a Met again?  He was awful when it counted last season...all of his production came in pure garbage time...not surprisingly to anyone with half a brain, he's been a zilch to start this season too.  He's always been a bit of a loser...why keep him around?  He's a negative.  Hansel Robles is up here getting Chance #5000, even though there isn't a Met fan who can stand the sight of him.  Why is he here?  I don't care if he's moved and he goes on an immediate tear...he'll implode Benitez-style in big spots, because that's what he does...another loser.  Too many losers just get to stay here, year after year after year, and accountability is either nonexistent, or attempted long after it should have been.  We get sick of seeing the same failures just get to suit up season after season, while Sandy collects paychecks for basically bringing zero fire and inspiration to his "craft".

And of course, there's Sandy's drafts, which have yielded very little to date.  He got his team to the WS in 2015 mostly on the strength of Omar Minaya's players, and through deals made possible because a couple of Omar's players happened to put up big years at just the right time (especially RA Dickey, which was a hell of a find on OMAR'S part).  Sandy is also supposed to be one of those sabermetric "find hidden value" guys...but for the most part, he signs very iffy players who don't seem to do much once they get here...there's a HUGE list of those types.

So I guess the real answer to your question is nothing's really going wrong...more that everything is exactly the same, and that's the problem.  This offseason was a total joke, a bunch of completely non-creative lazy signings that couldn't have possibly been more same ol same ol.  Occasionally we hear how Sandy's pumped when the offseason comes, but his moves (often lack thereof) sure don't seem to support that.  I think the Mets at this point need a GM who truly gives a damn, who has youthful energy and is willing to truly show some fvcking creativity in trying to build a cost-effective contender.  It can be done and we've seen it happen, and I know the Wilpons are a hell of a lot to overcome for ANY GM (their buffoonery knows no bounds), but I gotta think there's a young GM hopeful out there who would kill for a chance to be in the majors.  A guy who isn't here because he's laughing with every paycheck, and thinking "I don't know why they keep me here, but as long as they do..."

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by Colorado Rockies 1976

['7']

Not watching but apparently the Mets batted out of order

Starting to think Callaway is in over his head

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

16 minutes ago, '7' said:

Not watching but apparently the Mets batted out of order

Starting to think Callaway is in over his head

Oh man that's a bad one.

I don't want to make declarations about Callaway too early, but it's starting to feel like he's a pitching coach who might be better served being only that. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Keep Nimmo in the leadoff spot for now.  Guy is getting on base, and is one of the only Mets who actually has such a skill.  Might as well roll with it.

['7']

That 6-1 8th inning blown lead to the Nats (again Ramos) proved to be their undoing. Brock their weak spines. 12-2 going into that game

6-15 since. This is atrocious. You cannot lose 2 of 3 to the garbage Reds

21 runs scored in their last 9. Horrible

Edited May 9, 2018 by '7'

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

7 minutes ago, '7' said:

That 6-1 8th inning blown lead to the Nats (again Ramos) proved to be their undoing. Brock their weak spines. 12-2 going into that game

6-15 since. This is atrocious. You cannot lose 2 of 3 to the garbage Reds

21 runs scored in their last 9. Horrible

Took all of 21 games to undo a terrific start.  Yes, it was an illusion, and we all knew it.  But 6-15?  Losing two of three to the Reds?  Four fvcking hits in 10 innings?! 

Sandy must go.  The longer he sleepwalks and punts away seasons, the more things will never change.   

[NJDevs4978]

2 hours ago, '7' said:

Not watching but apparently the Mets batted out of order

Starting to think Callaway is in over his head

I wasn't listening to this game on radio but when I heard about this I was like WTF...and pretty much the same reaction as the second line of your post after that.  Callaway's wearing out his welcome quicker than anyone this side of John MacLean between this and a lot of the other bizarre decisions and non-decisions that have been made.  Of course he's far from alone in blame for this disgusting baseball team.  

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

2 minutes ago, NJDevs4978 said:

I wasn't listening to this game on radio but when I heard about this I was like WTF...and pretty much the same reaction as the second line of your post after that.  Callaway's wearing out his welcome quicker than anyone this side of John MacLean between this and a lot of the other bizarre decisions and non-decisions that have been made.  Of course he's far from alone in blame for this disgusting baseball team.  

I'm thinking of him more and more as a coordinator/assistant who simply would've been better off remaining in that capacity.  Maybe he'll be a decent manager someday, but I get the feeling he's going to take his lumps here first (and have many pitching coaches had success as managers?).  That's the risk you take with a rookie manager...not that I'm against the idea of hiring one...TC absolutely had to go and I'm not a big fan of most retreads.  But it's not like Sandy the Great has provided Callaway with killer talent either...like you say, lots o' blame to go around. 

[NJDevs4978]

I didn't realize the game started early enough so Joe and Evan were still on the air when this lineup nonsense happened, predictable hilarity ensued:

And lol at the Reds' Twitter account throwing some shade

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by NJDevs4978

[NJDevs4978]

I refer you to CR's post earlier today (a few above) answering someone else asking what's wrong with the Mets...but I think this part at the end was a cliff notes summation

Quote

So I guess the real answer to your question is nothing's really going wrong...more that everything is exactly the same, and that's the problem.  This offseason was a total joke, a bunch of completely non-creative lazy signings that couldn't have possibly been more same ol same ol. 

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by NJDevs4978

[thecoffeecake]

12 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Technically, from a pure talent to expectation standpoint, not much...in that 18-16 is really about where this team should be.  It wasn't that good to begin with...as has often been the Met way for years, they cross their fingers and hope for the best.  As far as the starting pitching went, it was definitely reasonable to expect Syndergaard and deGrom to be solid to very good (Thor's been a bit maddening in that his results have a way of coming up short given his stuff, and hopefully deGrom is not in for an injury-plagued season).  But no one could really say what the Mets could expect to get from Matz, Wheeler, Harvey, and Vargas, and the Mets took a "Well now we have our five aces pitching together" approach, with only a very shaky Vargas as immediate insurance.  The Vargas signing was especially infuriating because the guy had an ERA of 6.66 over his last 16 starts of 2017 and was clubbed around to the tune of a .926 OPS over that time frame...there were clear signs that Vargas could be in for a bad year in 2018, and not only did Sandy just completely ignore them (plenty on him later), he actually signed Vargas to TWO seasons.  Just a brutal deal...sure, it's early, but far too often the Mets' GM seems to do absolutely NO homework on some of these signings...he almost seems to make moves on a "See, we're doing something, really we are!" basis (seemingly just to get people off his back for forever being so damned meek, passive and often disinterested).  Just about every recent move he's made has been questionable from the start.

And if you look through this thread and others you'll see where I really have a problem with Sandy, but it's mostly that he refuses to ever bring in a different type of hitter...with him, it's always low-BA high-K good-power guys...the Mets just don't hit the ball enough, and it seems like so many times when they really need just ONE single, they can't get it...but you'll see PLENTY of Ks.  One of his earlier signings (Curtis Granderson) fit this bill perfectly.  Lucas Duda was a similar kind of hitter, and of course he got to stay here seemingly forever.  And now it's Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce (AGAIN), even though Bruce's RF D is an absolute killer, and that touches on another problem...Sandy basically just ignores defense (and everything else, as long as guys show a little HR potential).  The Mets have been a one-dimensional team for much of Sandy's regime, and poorly constructed, because most guys don't hit for good averages and many of them don't get on base, so it's lots of solo HRs, but with tons of Ks in key spots, because the hitters Sandy collects are forever vulnerable that way (especially against decent and better arms).  It's part of the absurd sabermetric "an out is an out is an out" mentality that Sandy-types subscribe to, and it's pure bullsh!t.  Get me guys who can put the fvcking bat on the ball and the ball in play, who actually dare to take a different approach when they get down two strikes.  Cespedes and too many other Mets just take big ol' HR swings no matter what...there's a new breed of hitter who takes a "I'm not getting cheated on any count" mentality, and they really suck.  These guys would rather kill gnats than adjust to shifts.  And Sandy just can't seem to stock up on enough of those hitters. 

This has also been discussed, but the Mets seem to have a hell of a time moving on from ANYONE, no matter what.  Why is Jose Reyes a Met again?  He was awful when it counted last season...all of his production came in pure garbage time...not surprisingly to anyone with half a brain, he's been a zilch to start this season too.  He's always been a bit of a loser...why keep him around?  He's a negative.  Hansel Robles is up here getting Chance #5000, even though there isn't a Met fan who can stand the sight of him.  Why is he here?  I don't care if he's moved and he goes on an immediate tear...he'll implode Benitez-style in big spots, because that's what he does...another loser.  Too many losers just get to stay here, year after year after year, and accountability is either nonexistent, or attempted long after it should have been.  We get sick of seeing the same failures just get to suit up season after season, while Sandy collects paychecks for basically bringing zero fire and inspiration to his "craft".

And of course, there's Sandy's drafts, which have yielded very little to date.  He got his team to the WS in 2015 mostly on the strength of Omar Minaya's players, and through deals made possible because a couple of Omar's players happened to put up big years at just the right time (especially RA Dickey, which was a hell of a find on OMAR'S part).  Sandy is also supposed to be one of those sabermetric "find hidden value" guys...but for the most part, he signs very iffy players who don't seem to do much once they get here...there's a HUGE list of those types.

So I guess the real answer to your question is nothing's really going wrong...more that everything is exactly the same, and that's the problem.  This offseason was a total joke, a bunch of completely non-creative lazy signings that couldn't have possibly been more same ol same ol.  Occasionally we hear how Sandy's pumped when the offseason comes, but his moves (often lack thereof) sure don't seem to support that.  I think the Mets at this point need a GM who truly gives a damn, who has youthful energy and is willing to truly show some fvcking creativity in trying to build a cost-effective contender.  It can be done and we've seen it happen, and I know the Wilpons are a hell of a lot to overcome for ANY GM (their buffoonery knows no bounds), but I gotta think there's a young GM hopeful out there who would kill for a chance to be in the majors.  A guy who isn't here because he's laughing with every paycheck, and thinking "I don't know why they keep me here, but as long as they do..."

 

Yea I was gonna ask if you guys miss Minaya. He put some solid teams together. 

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

12 hours ago, thecoffeecake said:

Yea I was gonna ask if you guys miss Minaya. He put some solid teams together. 

Well, Minaya's back, basically to find young talent, as he does have a good eye for that.  Sandy pretty much has none at this point. 

Minaya did put some good teams together and definitely made some early splashes (it helped that the Wilpons were much more willing to spend back then), but he became obsessed with the wrong things (like being a Latino GM, and race in general), and it got very ugly at the end.  He basically bid against himself in keeping Ollie Perez (who fell apart), and more and more, he built House Of Cards-type teams that were based on a lot of IFs breaking right...he also never hesitated to pat himself on the back, usually at the most inappropriate times.  It was 100% the right decision to move on from him...but I have no problem with him being here under his current role. 

[NJDfan1711]

Akbar Gbaja-Biamila might get 50 Cent off the hook for the worst first pitch ever.  I still think 50 Cent's was worse, but it's close.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Carly Rae Jepsen had a pretty bad one too, for Tampa. 

Matt Harvey Day for the Reds today...you wonder if he thinks any of what happened during his time here as a Met was ever his fault...not saying that the Mets are blameless, and it's a franchise that has done plenty NOT to earn the benefit of the doubt in ANY situation.  I don't think that this will happen, but if Harvey did somehow figure things out in short order...Eiland and Callaway are going to look pretty bad. 

[NJDevs4978]

1 hour ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

Carly Rae Jepsen had a pretty bad one too, for Tampa. 

Matt Harvey Day for the Reds today...you wonder if he thinks any of what happened during his time here as a Met was ever his fault...not saying that the Mets are blameless, and it's a franchise that has done plenty NOT to earn the benefit of the doubt in ANY situation.  I don't think that this will happen, but if Harvey did somehow figure things out in short order...Eiland and Callaway are going to look pretty bad. 

Public perception will be that but Warthen and Terry also had two years with him and he stunk pre-Callaway and Eiland just as much. If anything him flicking a switch and pitching well would tell me he was tanking here till he got out. All this talk about how he didn’t have fun in NY and he ‘can just worry about pitching’ raises an eyebrow.

['7']

18 minutes ago, NJDevs4978 said:

Public perception will be that but Warthen and Terry also had two years with him and he stunk pre-Callaway and Eiland just as much. If anything him flicking a switch and pitching well would tell me he was tanking here till he got out. All this talk about how he didn’t have fun in NY and he ‘can just worry about pitching’ raises an eyebrow.

He loved it here and wanted to be the toast of the town with a supermodel on each arm. But the town got the best of him and his stuff just flat out died after those injuries.

The velocity isn't there, all his stuff is flat and lifeless. There is no way he'll find himself again (in that ballpark no less) and at his age. The Mets really did try to make it work with him but they had to cut the cord. He couldn't be a redeemed. He's a bad pitcher and a rotten person. Long run the team will be so much better off with him gone

I don't think he ever cared or appreciated anything the Mets organization did for him. From the start even. We were always a stepping stone for him to get to the Yankees.

Edited May 11, 2018 by '7'