Joe DeCaro of Mets Merized Online has an interesting post about Daniel Murphy's value to the Mets versus his value elsewhere.
There is no question that Murphy is a pure hitter in the Wade Boggs mold. Personally, I think the Mets are holding on to Murphy for now because his trade value is low from the knee injury and from whether or not he can play 2B. However, if either Reese Havens or Jordany Valdespin starts hitting the cover off the ball in Buffalo, you will likely see one of them get a call-up and see Murphy relegated to the bench. You can then start to wonder if he's trade bait from the number of spot starts he gets in David Wright's place at 3B.
Joe mentions Murphy's natural position being 3B. Which leads me to wonder if by July 15th:
- Reese Havens is healthy and playing well at Triple-A, matching or exceeding his average Double-A slash line of .301 AVG/.379 OBP/.505 SLG.
- Daniel Murphy is matching or exceeding his average MLB career slash line of .292/.343/.441.
- David Wright is matching or exceeding his average MLB career slash line of .300/.380/.508.
- The Mets are in last place 20 or more games behind the division leader and 10 or more games behind the 2nd Wild Card team.
If these things are happening in July 2012, would the Mets be better off trading Wright for the prospect haul, thereby moving Murphy to his natural position of 3B and giving 2B to Reese Havens? Something to think about if you're a Met fan looking towards the future.
Showing posts with label David Wright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Wright. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Trading a 29-year old superstar...
Picture for a moment a team with a 29-year old superstar that is considered the face of the franchise. He plays for the team he cheered for as a boy and is loyal to them beyond dollars and cents. His team is a few years removed from contention but is not considered to be in contention in the near future regardless of what the ownership or diehard fans believe. Thus the team considers moving him to another team, for whom he could be "final piece to the puzzle", in exchange for bodies to fill the roster.
No, I'm not talking about a potential David Wright deal. I'm talking about Mike Piazza. The only difference is that, in 1998, the Mets were the team on the cusp of contention that needed Piazza. And no one is going to argue that Piazza meant less to the Dodgers in 1998 than Wright means to the Mets today.
Much has been written about whether or not the Mets should trade David Wright, including by me. Joel Sherman wrote an excellent column outlining what the Mets could get back in exchange for Wright. The blog Metzilla shared its thoughts on moving Wright, as did the SNY Why Guys.
If Sherman's reporting is accurate, I wonder what kind of bidding war could take place between the Angels and Rockies (the two teams rumored to be interested in Wright) if the Angels were to include Peter Bourjos and the Rockies were to include Dexter Fowler in a potential deal. I admit, these aren't marquee names. However, they could be pieces to build upon until the potentially marquee names of Wheeler, Harvey, Familia, Flores, Nimmo, et al arrive in Flushing.
Met fans were deeply depressed when Lee Mazzilli, the homegrown Brooklyn native and lone All-Star of the 1979 Mets team, was traded for two minor league pitchers. However, one of those guys netted in that deal was Ron Darling and the other, Walt Terrell, was flipped later for Howard Johnson. Of course, it only helped the psyche of anyone still hurting from that 1982 deal that Maz was a free agent in the middle of the 1986 season and was re-signed for the stretch run for the eventual 1986 World Champions.
Met fans got over Mazzilli, Dodger fans got over Piazza, and Red Sox fans certainly got over Garciaparra. This will be a sad off-season if Reyes signs elsewhere (which he probably will) and Wright gets traded (which he likely could.) However, life will go on for Met fans and eventually the core will be re-built to establish a consistent year-in, year-out, level of superiority and respectability.
My only request: keep Wright and Reyes out of the NL East and, preferably, both of them end up in the American League on different teams. Beyond that, I can only say as a fan, best of luck and thanks for the memories. Too bad there wasn't more to the minor league talent pool beyond those two guys to create something sustainable beyond 2006.
No, I'm not talking about a potential David Wright deal. I'm talking about Mike Piazza. The only difference is that, in 1998, the Mets were the team on the cusp of contention that needed Piazza. And no one is going to argue that Piazza meant less to the Dodgers in 1998 than Wright means to the Mets today.
Much has been written about whether or not the Mets should trade David Wright, including by me. Joel Sherman wrote an excellent column outlining what the Mets could get back in exchange for Wright. The blog Metzilla shared its thoughts on moving Wright, as did the SNY Why Guys.
If Sherman's reporting is accurate, I wonder what kind of bidding war could take place between the Angels and Rockies (the two teams rumored to be interested in Wright) if the Angels were to include Peter Bourjos and the Rockies were to include Dexter Fowler in a potential deal. I admit, these aren't marquee names. However, they could be pieces to build upon until the potentially marquee names of Wheeler, Harvey, Familia, Flores, Nimmo, et al arrive in Flushing.
Met fans were deeply depressed when Lee Mazzilli, the homegrown Brooklyn native and lone All-Star of the 1979 Mets team, was traded for two minor league pitchers. However, one of those guys netted in that deal was Ron Darling and the other, Walt Terrell, was flipped later for Howard Johnson. Of course, it only helped the psyche of anyone still hurting from that 1982 deal that Maz was a free agent in the middle of the 1986 season and was re-signed for the stretch run for the eventual 1986 World Champions.
Met fans got over Mazzilli, Dodger fans got over Piazza, and Red Sox fans certainly got over Garciaparra. This will be a sad off-season if Reyes signs elsewhere (which he probably will) and Wright gets traded (which he likely could.) However, life will go on for Met fans and eventually the core will be re-built to establish a consistent year-in, year-out, level of superiority and respectability.
My only request: keep Wright and Reyes out of the NL East and, preferably, both of them end up in the American League on different teams. Beyond that, I can only say as a fan, best of luck and thanks for the memories. Too bad there wasn't more to the minor league talent pool beyond those two guys to create something sustainable beyond 2006.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Loyal to a Fault?
In his article on the Mets' chances of trading David Wright, Andy Martino shares a great tidbit about David Wright:
"It is also worth remembering Wright's loyalty close friends say, affectionately, that he is loyal to a fault and his genuine desire is to lead the Mets out of this latest wilderness. In an age of cold capitalism in sports, those qualities are rare."
Yes, those qualities are rare. And very heartwarming too.
"It is also worth remembering Wright's loyalty close friends say, affectionately, that he is loyal to a fault and his genuine desire is to lead the Mets out of this latest wilderness. In an age of cold capitalism in sports, those qualities are rare."
Yes, those qualities are rare. And very heartwarming too.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
New York Mets Do Wright Thing, Plan To Move Fences In At Citi Field | Rich Coutinho « CBS New York
WFAN's Rich Coutinho gives yet another explanation as to why it makes sense to move in the fences at Citi Field:
"Players talk to other players. I firmly believe most major leaguers knew the Mets were spooked by this park. If for no other reason than they were spooked by it as well. I remember Alex Rodriguez looking out at a screaming line drive he hit to left-center and appearing shocked when it did not leave the yard. And so the baseball world knew what a player would be up against offensively if he came to call Citi Field home."
I remember watching that game this season and as much as I enjoyed the look on A-Rod's face when he went into his home run trot only to watch the ball hit high off the wall and force him to hustle it to second base. However, the Yankees were only there for a three-game series and once the weekend was over A-Rod was going back to his little league ballpark in the Bronx to hit 40+ homers on a bunch of half swings again.
"Players talk to other players. I firmly believe most major leaguers knew the Mets were spooked by this park. If for no other reason than they were spooked by it as well. I remember Alex Rodriguez looking out at a screaming line drive he hit to left-center and appearing shocked when it did not leave the yard. And so the baseball world knew what a player would be up against offensively if he came to call Citi Field home."
I remember watching that game this season and as much as I enjoyed the look on A-Rod's face when he went into his home run trot only to watch the ball hit high off the wall and force him to hustle it to second base. However, the Yankees were only there for a three-game series and once the weekend was over A-Rod was going back to his little league ballpark in the Bronx to hit 40+ homers on a bunch of half swings again.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Jose Reyes, David Wright, and that Great Wall of Flushing
This year's World Series is a brutal reminder for Met fans that the National League representative is the same team that knocked the Mets out in that magical 2006 season just five years ago. Joel Sherman acknowledges that reminder and takes it further by laying it out as a reason for letting go of both Jose Reyes and David Wright. Sherman writes:
"Losing both of their signature players this offseason might be too large a hit for an organization already in bad stead with its fan base. However, plugging the leaky ship around Wright and Reyes since that fateful 2006 NLCS has not worked. It might be time to build a new boat."
Sherman doesn't connect the two dots that, in my opinion, what happens with Reyes will determine what the Mets do with Wright. As I've said before, the current top prospects in the organization would not be ready for the MLB until Wright is past his prime and I'm begrudgingly starting to agree with the premise (as Sherman says in his column) that Wright is a great player but not the cornerstone player that Albert Pujols is.
Speaking of Wright, David Lennon of Newsday first reported/tweeted that the Mets should be making an announcement on the walls at CitiField shortly after the World Series. As reported on Metsblog.com:
"Lennon says to expect the left-field wall to be ‘shortened and pulled in,’ the right-center bullpen fences to be ‘pulled in,’ and Mo Zone ‘fenced off.’
The last day of the season, while broadcasting from Citi Field, WFAN’s Mike Francesa reported ALL fences in the outfield will be 8 feet tall next year. Also, he said both foul poles will remain exactly where they are, but the walls in center and by the Mo Zone in right field will be 390 feet."
I also had another thought when I was watching the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS this year. When they brought in the left field wall at Comerica Park, they moved the bullpens to the newly formed space between the old wall and the new wall, allowing the Tigers to add additional premium seats in right field. Considering the easy access to the current bullpen area in CitiField, it's worth investigating if the bullpens can be moved to left-center field and the current bullpen area turned into a picnic area like the one that used to be behind the left-field bleachers in Shea Stadium. I hope the team considers this, although it would be a shame if they do this and then trade Wright before he has a chance to play in smaller dimensions.
"Losing both of their signature players this offseason might be too large a hit for an organization already in bad stead with its fan base. However, plugging the leaky ship around Wright and Reyes since that fateful 2006 NLCS has not worked. It might be time to build a new boat."
Sherman doesn't connect the two dots that, in my opinion, what happens with Reyes will determine what the Mets do with Wright. As I've said before, the current top prospects in the organization would not be ready for the MLB until Wright is past his prime and I'm begrudgingly starting to agree with the premise (as Sherman says in his column) that Wright is a great player but not the cornerstone player that Albert Pujols is.
Speaking of Wright, David Lennon of Newsday first reported/tweeted that the Mets should be making an announcement on the walls at CitiField shortly after the World Series. As reported on Metsblog.com:
"Lennon says to expect the left-field wall to be ‘shortened and pulled in,’ the right-center bullpen fences to be ‘pulled in,’ and Mo Zone ‘fenced off.’
The last day of the season, while broadcasting from Citi Field, WFAN’s Mike Francesa reported ALL fences in the outfield will be 8 feet tall next year. Also, he said both foul poles will remain exactly where they are, but the walls in center and by the Mo Zone in right field will be 390 feet."
I also had another thought when I was watching the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS this year. When they brought in the left field wall at Comerica Park, they moved the bullpens to the newly formed space between the old wall and the new wall, allowing the Tigers to add additional premium seats in right field. Considering the easy access to the current bullpen area in CitiField, it's worth investigating if the bullpens can be moved to left-center field and the current bullpen area turned into a picnic area like the one that used to be behind the left-field bleachers in Shea Stadium. I hope the team considers this, although it would be a shame if they do this and then trade Wright before he has a chance to play in smaller dimensions.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Trading David Wright: What You Need to Know
Howard Megdal of The Journal News' LoHud Mets Blog writes a primer on what trading David Wright would entail for the Mets. He repeats a point I made about a week ago about trading Wright becoming a possibility of Jose Reyes LEAVES rather than re-signs:
"Look, Wright is obviously a good fit with the Rockies- like Jose Reyes, he’s a good fit pretty much anywhere, since he’s one of the best players at his position. Still, that doesn’t mean it won’t make sense to trade him, given certain other realities. Here are some things that are worth keeping in mind:
“Should the Mets trade David Wright?” is not a binary question. I cannot stress this first point enough. Trade him or don’t trade him has everything to do with what the Mets can get for him in return, and what the overall plan for the roster is. I would actually argue the opposite of what Renck does- that it is precisely if the Mets don’t sign Jose Reyes that the prospect of dealing Wright starts to make more sense.
(And let’s not pretend this wasn’t all avoidable, by the way. It only makes sense not to keep your developed superstars in their 20s if you are suffering from the kind of financial problems that the Mets are.)"
Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest suggests some interesting trade scenarios if the Mets choose to move Wright (and possibly Mike Pelfrey) to the Colorado Rockies. A Pelfrey and Wright for prospects trade sounds similar to the one made by the Tigers and Marlins in December 2007. Even though that trade has had mixed results for both teams, you can make a case for it having an equal impact on both teams involved.
"Look, Wright is obviously a good fit with the Rockies- like Jose Reyes, he’s a good fit pretty much anywhere, since he’s one of the best players at his position. Still, that doesn’t mean it won’t make sense to trade him, given certain other realities. Here are some things that are worth keeping in mind:
“Should the Mets trade David Wright?” is not a binary question. I cannot stress this first point enough. Trade him or don’t trade him has everything to do with what the Mets can get for him in return, and what the overall plan for the roster is. I would actually argue the opposite of what Renck does- that it is precisely if the Mets don’t sign Jose Reyes that the prospect of dealing Wright starts to make more sense.
(And let’s not pretend this wasn’t all avoidable, by the way. It only makes sense not to keep your developed superstars in their 20s if you are suffering from the kind of financial problems that the Mets are.)"
Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest suggests some interesting trade scenarios if the Mets choose to move Wright (and possibly Mike Pelfrey) to the Colorado Rockies. A Pelfrey and Wright for prospects trade sounds similar to the one made by the Tigers and Marlins in December 2007. Even though that trade has had mixed results for both teams, you can make a case for it having an equal impact on both teams involved.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Rico Brogna: New York Mets Should Say Goodbye To Free Agent Shortstop Jose Reyes « CBS New York
Finally, someone that said what I was thinking! Former Met and MLB first baseman Rico Brogna writes this in his opinion piece on Jose Reyes:
"I have seen this young talent rise through the minor leagues, scouted him in his rookie and sophomore seasons in New York, and now have finally seen his development take him into his veteran years (free agent years) as a major league baseball player. My opinion and belief as a scout and front office executive (baseball ops) guy is to say “thank you” to Jose, but we are moving in the proverbial different direction.
Wish him the best, and start growing your roster with other players … and yes, I would trade David Wright as well (for pitching, pitching, and more pitching!)."
My personal belief is Reyes is the tipping point that determines the Mets philosophy over the next five years. If they re-sign him, they should keep Wright and build a championship-caliber team in 2-3 years while both are still in their prime.
If Reyes leaves, the current top prospects in the organization would not be ready for the MLB until Wright is way past his prime. In that case they should trade Wright and hope to build the team around Ike Davis, Brandon Nimmo, Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, Zack Wheeler, and whatever haul Wright brings in to be playoff caliber squad in 3-5 years.
"I have seen this young talent rise through the minor leagues, scouted him in his rookie and sophomore seasons in New York, and now have finally seen his development take him into his veteran years (free agent years) as a major league baseball player. My opinion and belief as a scout and front office executive (baseball ops) guy is to say “thank you” to Jose, but we are moving in the proverbial different direction.
Wish him the best, and start growing your roster with other players … and yes, I would trade David Wright as well (for pitching, pitching, and more pitching!)."
My personal belief is Reyes is the tipping point that determines the Mets philosophy over the next five years. If they re-sign him, they should keep Wright and build a championship-caliber team in 2-3 years while both are still in their prime.
If Reyes leaves, the current top prospects in the organization would not be ready for the MLB until Wright is way past his prime. In that case they should trade Wright and hope to build the team around Ike Davis, Brandon Nimmo, Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, Zack Wheeler, and whatever haul Wright brings in to be playoff caliber squad in 3-5 years.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Moving in the walls at CitiField?
The spaciousness of CitiField has often been a point of contention about players and fans alike but Marty Noble provides this little nugget:
"...for the most part, Citi has been unpopular with hitters. The first time the Braves played here in 2009, Chipper Jones smoked a pitch to right-center field. It was caught. As he ran off the field and passed by third base, [David] Wright offered a telling two-word commentary: "Nice park.""
"...for the most part, Citi has been unpopular with hitters. The first time the Braves played here in 2009, Chipper Jones smoked a pitch to right-center field. It was caught. As he ran off the field and passed by third base, [David] Wright offered a telling two-word commentary: "Nice park.""
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
No way Jose! David instead of Jose?
Adam Rubin of ESPN reported yesterday and WFAN reports today that the Mets are considering moving David Wright should they decide to re-sign Jose Reyes. The WFAN article even quotes a scout saying:
"“Look at their club and look at the other shortstops around the league, and trading Wright makes more sense,” said the scout. “You can play (Daniel) Murphy at third and he’ll give you enough offense there. But you can’t replace Reyes’ offense with (Ruben) Tejada.”"
I hate to admit it but it's hard to disagree with the scout. It's harder find a shortstop with the offensive upside of a Jose Reyes than it is to find a third baseman with the offensive upside of a David Wright. It's not something I like about the game but that's just how players are developed. And let's not forget the Boston Red Sox traded Nomar Garciaparra at the height of his popularity in Boston only to go on three months later to win their first World Series title in 86 years. That proved to be a brilliant move because Nomar was never again the caliber of player he was in Boston. A part of me wonders if Nomar's fate is David Wright's fate as well but a part of me desperately wants to believe what WFAN's Rich Coutinho wrote today.
Meanwhile, Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight writes about how the team's image is impacting its attendance. I wonder if there was a way for him to factor in all the trade talk into his analysis.
"“Look at their club and look at the other shortstops around the league, and trading Wright makes more sense,” said the scout. “You can play (Daniel) Murphy at third and he’ll give you enough offense there. But you can’t replace Reyes’ offense with (Ruben) Tejada.”"
I hate to admit it but it's hard to disagree with the scout. It's harder find a shortstop with the offensive upside of a Jose Reyes than it is to find a third baseman with the offensive upside of a David Wright. It's not something I like about the game but that's just how players are developed. And let's not forget the Boston Red Sox traded Nomar Garciaparra at the height of his popularity in Boston only to go on three months later to win their first World Series title in 86 years. That proved to be a brilliant move because Nomar was never again the caliber of player he was in Boston. A part of me wonders if Nomar's fate is David Wright's fate as well but a part of me desperately wants to believe what WFAN's Rich Coutinho wrote today.
Meanwhile, Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight writes about how the team's image is impacting its attendance. I wonder if there was a way for him to factor in all the trade talk into his analysis.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
"The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural..."
R.A. Dickey channels his inner Sith, although like the Sith versus the Jedi, he's not quite the same as a naked Yoda (aka Pedro Martinez) running through the team's clubhouse.
I just wish we had a picture like we did with David Wright's shirt.
I just wish we had a picture like we did with David Wright's shirt.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Shea Faithful | New York Mets Star David Wright Wore a Ridiculous Shirt Last Night
Yes, that is David Wright wearing a shirt with a picture of ... David Wright!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
"Chavez, great speed; Reyes, great speed; LoDuca, good guy."
Rich Coutinho makes a great case for the Mets batting Josh Thole 2nd in the lineup. Not a bad idea, considering the Jose Reyes/Paul LoDuca duo at the top of the lineup in 2006. The only thing I would disagree with is Coutinho suggests moving Pagan back to the #2 spot when Jason Bay returns. I'm not entirely sure that would be a good idea, especially if Thole is performing in the two-hole.
In other New York Mets news, great column by Steve Popper in The Bergen Record about David Wright taking more of a leadership role on the team. He also mentions the game of catch with the Braves fans before Sunday's game.
By the way, does anyone remember that Howie Rose quote that I used for the title of this post?
In other New York Mets news, great column by Steve Popper in The Bergen Record about David Wright taking more of a leadership role on the team. He also mentions the game of catch with the Braves fans before Sunday's game.
By the way, does anyone remember that Howie Rose quote that I used for the title of this post?
Monday, April 18, 2011
David Wright playing catch with kids during pre-game warmups...
This is just awesome. Prior to Sunday's game versus the Atlanta Braves, David Wright decided to play catch with some kids in the stands during the pre-game warmup.
Really really really cool!
Really really really cool!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Jon Heyman's NL East Predictions - SI.com
Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com already predicted the Mets would finish last in the NL East, now Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated gets into the act with not only a last place finish but a 74-win season.
Oh, and he doesn't seem like he thinks much of K-Rod either:
"The only safe prediction for the coming baseball season regards Francisco Rodriguez's $17.5 million vesting option for 55 game finishes. He won't be getting it, the games or the money.
K-Rod was brilliant this spring, and he may well continue that brilliance. But he isn't getting those games. Certainly not from the Mets. Nobody wants to pay more than Mariano Rivera money to another closer, least of all a team that has, shall we say, financial problems."
I personally prefer David Wright's sunny optimism:
"We have a bunch of guys with chips on their shoulders."
Let's Go Mets. Two more days until Opening Day.
Oh, and he doesn't seem like he thinks much of K-Rod either:
"The only safe prediction for the coming baseball season regards Francisco Rodriguez's $17.5 million vesting option for 55 game finishes. He won't be getting it, the games or the money.
K-Rod was brilliant this spring, and he may well continue that brilliance. But he isn't getting those games. Certainly not from the Mets. Nobody wants to pay more than Mariano Rivera money to another closer, least of all a team that has, shall we say, financial problems."
I personally prefer David Wright's sunny optimism:
"We have a bunch of guys with chips on their shoulders."
Let's Go Mets. Two more days until Opening Day.
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