Do The Mets Really Have The Pieces To Get A Bat?

There was plenty to be discouraged about on Thursday–Michael Cuddyer‘s on-going delay to the DL, The Fraud’s Worst Press Conference Ever, an historically bad batting order and of course Clayton Kershaw’s 9-inning suffocation of the Mets on the field. With all of this going on, it is pretty easy to overlook probably the worst news of the day, which was buried in yesterday’s Daily News:

The (Mets and A’s)  have exchanged names on (Ben) Zobrist, but haven’t been able to agree. With Alderson totally unwilling to move any of his young pitching stars, and Oakland so far uninterested in the likes of Brandon Nimmo, Gavin Cecchini and Michael Fulmer, this deal is going nowhere, for now. In fact, the Mets aren’t particularly close to any deal.

Uh-oh.

One of the harsh facts in this statement is that two of those names are The Fraud’s recent top draft picks. If this is indicative of the type of talent he has been bringing in, then we are probably looking at some dark days ahead. The Fraud shouldn’t and most likely won’t trade any of his young arms or Michael Conforto for a two-month rental. But it sounds like at least one opposing GM isn’t impressed by this “second wave” of Mets prospects. If that’s an industry-wide opinion, then we’re looking at one of two options: trade a young arm or continue down the path with these “one f—- seventy” batting averages.

The third option would be to sign a free agent like Yoenis Cespedes in the offseason, but who am I trying to kid?

 

A Mets fan since 1971, Dan spent many summer nights of his childhood watching the Mets on WOR Channel Nine, which his Allentown, PA cable company carried. Dan was present at Game 7 of the 1986 World Series and the Todd Pratt Walkoff Game in 1999. He is also the proud owner of two Shea Stadium seats. Professionally, Dan is a Marketing Manager in the Bulk Materials Handling industry. He lives in Bethlehem PA with his wife and son, neither of whom fully get his obsession with the Mets.
  1. Quinn July 24, 2015 at 8:22 am
    They had the pieces to get aramis Ramirez but I guess a mod level prospect wasn’t worth the chance of helping our lineup. So much for being able to add on pay roll.
  2. holmer July 24, 2015 at 10:11 am
    That’s Billy Bean trying to jack up the price. Cecchini, Nimmo, and Fulmer are all legit prospects. I don’t think more than one of them is worth Zobrist as a rental though.
  3. Extragooey July 24, 2015 at 11:44 am
    Conforto just got called up. I’m excited to see him play and see what he can do. Frankly, expecting him to carry this team is unrealistic and unfair. This offense is so bad that more than one bat is needed. The whole infield needs upgrading. Center field continues to be a problem as well.
    • Steve Hussy July 24, 2015 at 12:02 pm
      I do agree that it’s way too much to put on Conforto, but I certainly think he would have been more use – even just on defense – than wheeling (almost literally) out an injured Cuddyer and a desperately out-of-form Mayberry.
      With the Mets down 1-0 in the 7th with runners on 1st and 2nd, Mayberry waving at a breaking ball for a strikeout was the 90% more likely outcome. And so it happened…
      Management talks about every game mattering, but their slow response over the infield defense and Cuddyer has cost at least a couple of games.
      On the positive side, Colon was great to watch last night. The matador is back.
      • Extragooey July 24, 2015 at 12:29 pm
        Yeah, I think this move should have happened with Cuddyer coming out of that 18 inning game on Sunday. The game last night was what it was. Kershaw shutting down another team. I’m just glad the Mets didn’t get no hit again.
  4. DanB July 24, 2015 at 1:22 pm
    My concern about bringing up Conforto is that the Mets see it as their attempt to improve the lineup. It should be just a blip but I fear that he was our big move of the trading season. Still time for the Mets to prove me wrong, though.
  5. argonbunnies July 24, 2015 at 3:09 pm
    Nimmo is like Flores — an okay prospect who stands out on teams without elite position players. Both guys have flaws that will clearly prevent them from ever being stars, and both may or may not ever become useful major leaguers. They have a few strengths to dream on, though.

    Cecchini appears to be a competent shortstop, which pretty much automatically makes him a viable backup for the Mets, but his ceiling isn’t very high, which is why I always thought he made a lousy #1 pick.

    Nimmo at least had upside, but was also one of the biggest unknowns out there, never having played competitive high school ball, so it was an even lower-percentage play than most draft picks. I was happy to have him, but he seemed like a reach in the 1st round.

    Since getting drafted, neither guy has vastly surprised, for good or bad. We didn’t strike out, but we didn’t strike gold either. I’m sure plenty of teams out there would be happy to acquire Nimmo or Cecchini as insurance and cheap filler in exchange for a major league rental who they don’t need. They’ll shop around for higher-upside guys first, of course, but if those aren’t offered, I’m sure the best of the Mets will suffice.

    Not that I’m thrilled about that equation… depends on who’s out there, I guess.

    I don’t really know anything about Fulmer. Young hard thrower with an injury history. Scouting report mentions a good slider and poor control.

  6. argonbunnies July 24, 2015 at 3:13 pm
    With Carl Crawford back and Brett Anderson’s injury not helping the Dodgers’ rotation stability, how about this trade:

    Niese and Wheeler for Puig.

    – Dodgers get a hot starter for 2015.
    – Dodgers get a guy with grade A stuff for the future.
    – Mets get a chance to turn around a slumping & troubled position player with among the best tools in the sport.

    • Dan42 July 24, 2015 at 4:59 pm
      Sounds good to me, and a good test for Collins, not that he needs more testing.
    • argonbunnies July 24, 2015 at 8:03 pm
      Well, never mind that. Can’t imagine the Dodgers want Niese after pummeling him tonight.
    • argonbunnies July 25, 2015 at 12:45 pm
      Good idea here to acquire Scott VanSlyke and Alejandro De Aza: http://thebeanball.com/2015/07/21/three-unexciting-trades-that-would-immediately-help-the-mets-offense/ Mixing these guys in with the current crew in platoons would drastically improve the Mets’ OF offense.
  7. david July 25, 2015 at 12:00 am
    I’d have to say the answer to Cappy’s question is no longer debatable. The Mets got 2 bats for 2 lower level arms, and while we can debate the difference it will make I for one give the deal a thumbs up.

    I’ve always liked Johnson’s hitting and his OPS is right away among the best on the team. I have not seen Uribe play in years and don’t expect either one to turn into a superstar, but prefer to see both of them getting at bats to Mayberry and Campbell.

  8. DaveSchneck July 25, 2015 at 10:05 am
    I am in agreement with David. While neither Uribe or Johnson are players that will get me excited, this is exactly the type of deal that I wanted them to make. The minor leaguers given up were not key organizational chips. They took on about $3 million in salary. I was disappointed when the did not grab Ramirez from the Brewers given the trade/cost to the Pirates (that is how bad things are for the Mets, being disappointed about Aramis Ramirez), but I think Uribe is a better player. Johnson has his weaknesses as well but he is a professional LH bat with some pop. Also, demoting Muno and designating Mayberry were the moves to make. So, the biggest issue now is that they are only one game over .500, 4 out in the loss column, and playing like crap. They need to change the vibe right now and put up some wins this weekend, Grienke or not. The next week is crucial, whether or not they make any other deals.

    All in all, I am on board with the Conforto promotion and these acquisitions. At least Terry Collins has some more MLB-caliber players to field. And, Johnson provides some coverage for Conforto struggling as well.

    • david July 26, 2015 at 12:06 am
      Thanks for picking up on the fact it is Muno, not Campbell going down. I forgot Muno was even still on the team. Time to pack Soup to Vegas with his sub-200 average, below average defense, and modest speed.

      I am tired of watching the Mets play shorthanded. You need 25 major league quality ballplayers to win. Simple as that. Sure teams score shorthanded goals all the time, but they score a hell of a lot more at full strength. Watching the Mets the last few years it always seems we are 1 or 2 guys short on the bench, mainly because they carry such poor performers on their bench to save money. For a silly comparison, look at 1986’s bench players – Wally or Teufeul, HoJo, Mookie or Dykstra, Kevin Mitchell, Danny Heep, Mazzilli.

  9. gary s July 25, 2015 at 11:45 am
    I would have given credit to Alderson if he got these guys in the offseason to shore up the bench. Than we would have been spared Campbell and Muno ..Probably would have provided a few more wins this year. Btw, Nimmo has 2 home runs and 16 ribeyes. WHO THE HECK WANTS HIM? Sounds like Daniel Murphy lite. One of these guys is enough for me.
  10. argonbunnies July 25, 2015 at 12:35 pm
    Uribe and Johnson are both streaky at the plate. If we got them at the right time, they could be a huge help. If not, they’ll be similar to what they’re replacing.

    Johnson is a mediocre defender who doesn’t do anything stupid and occasionally will surprise you with a great play. Probably about par for the course, there.

    Uribe, on the other hand, is one of the most underrated defenders in baseball because his body looks unathletic. In reality, his quickness, agility, arm and judgment are all top notch, and his range is better than you’d think. He’d certainly be a better shortstop than Flores, maybe better than Tejada. He’s easily the best defensive 3B on the team, and probably the best 2B as well. (That is, unless he’s declined in the last year or two. I haven’t seen him play a ton lately.)

    With the Mets making a bunch of “win now” moves, I wonder if they’ll sit Flores, who’s performing terribly at the moment, in favor of more proven options. Clearly the Mets’ best Saturday lineup has no place for Wilmer in it. On the other hand, Flores has a higher offensive ceiling than the alternatives, so I could see sticking with him as long as there’s any reason to believe his last 100 ABs have been a mere slump.

    • Steve Hussy July 25, 2015 at 8:47 pm
      My immediate response was how happy I am to get Uribe’s defense. Nice to see someone mention that. Don’t judge a book by its cover. He has quick feet and a good arm.