Comments on: Mets Must Resist Temptation With Zack Wheeler

By: van

van — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:20:26 +0000

might be a stretch, since Pedro always had a much bigger arsenal to dazzle you with. Maybe Johan dusts off a couple of other pitches (and if anyone can pick them up quick, he seems like the guy to do it!).

By: Donal

Donal — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:11:25 +0000

I wonder if he can reinvent himself ala Pedro.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:20:04 +0000

Not sure I agree at all regarding Pelfrey or Mejia. Pelfrey to begin with signed a major league contract when drafted, he was going to be fast tracked no matter what . Mental game aside, he could not miss bats, that is a physical tool. He missed them in the minors, especially at A+ and AA, but he had a sharp regression in AAA. One could try to make the argument it was rushing, but just as easily it could be said that more patient, mature and selective hitters laid off his fastball. His walk rate at AAA speaks to the latter.

That basically mirrored itself throughout the entire portion of his MLB career with the Mets. That speaks to a lack of physical vs. mental obstacles. I think it often appeared to be mental, because here you had a guy who in college was a dominating pitcher, his early transition seemed smooth and then he had a wake up call.

Mejia, nothing in his timeline speaks to the Jerry Manuel needing a relief pitcher as much as the Mets just not allowing the guy to pitch enough in the minors before making that decision. He had too few innings under his belt for anything.

Wheeler will be in Vegas even if he man handles in spring training.

By: Will

Will — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:53:54 +0000

Wow what a weird article. First of all…you need to spell check your posts before putting them live.

Parnell still trying to make it in the bullpen?!? He is still young and despite some makeup issues as a closer, he posted a 2.50 era for 2012!!

Our bullpen is revamped from last year….bullpens are always a crapshoot. With the new additions, it is different. It is hard for the bullpen to be worse than it was the first half of 2012.

Pitching is NOT the mets problem…do you even watch the mets? Our problem right now is 3 outfield positions that are wide open.

By: Metsie

Metsie — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:22:15 +0000

I think the real question people should be asking is will his time in that Pitcher killer Vegas actually help him or hurt him?

And if it’s the latter then maybe it’s better to keep him in AA until he dominates and skip AAA altogether.

AT least he will take the confidence of over matching batters in AA with him to the Big Leagues.

By: My Beloved Mets – Mets must resist temptation with Zack Wheeler

My Beloved Mets – Mets must resist temptation with Zack Wheeler — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:38:04 +0000

[...] John Delcos, MetsMerized Online Source: MetsBlog [...]

By: Russell's Mets

Russell's Mets — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:19:35 +0000

Lincecum was not the only name I listed there, and you can find plenty more. Also in regards to prospect status, Pelfrey was almost as highly rated as Lincecum was, it’s easy to see after the fact that Lincecum is better but while they were prospects they were regarded almost in the same class.

If you look around the league there are FO’s that are consistently aggressive calling up players from the minors early, and then there are FO’s like the one SA is running here that will always try to keep prospects in the minors as long as they can.

By: Russell's Mets

Russell's Mets — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:14:16 +0000

Let me make correct my statement. I meant to say there is almost zero chance Wheeler makes the club out of Spring training. I do believe he will be up in June/July which buys the mets an extra year of service. That’s Anderson’s MO.

By: Bayonne Mets Fan

Bayonne Mets Fan — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:09:24 +0000

Unbelievable. 2014.

Wheeler may come North with the big club THIS YEAR! And you’re talking about 2014 no ifs, ands, or buts. Incredible.

By: Ramon

Ramon — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:02:45 +0000

Do not let Spring Training fool you. Wheeler will start in AAA no matter how dominant he looks. Hitters take longer to catch up to pitchers and most of the games are against patchwork lineups that have as many minor leaguers as guys from the majors.

Wheeler, though good in AAA last season, did not dominate that level. Its better to see him smooth out his rougher edges there and let him improve control there before he is thrust into the Majors.

By: Ramon

Ramon — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:57:49 +0000

Comparing Pelfrey to Lincecum is the most ridiculous false comparison I’ve ever seen. According to your logic either a guy proves he is a 1A tier starter in a few starts (like Lincecum) or he just doesn’t have it (like Pelfrey). Can it be possible that there is a respectable middle ground between the two extremes you present?

By: Bayonne Mets Fan

Bayonne Mets Fan — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:49:52 +0000

actually don’t forget about the other pitcher who’s only pitched a few major league innings. Matt Harvey. He’s already here and it’s important for him to get off to a good start first.

We’ll see that first long before anybody comes up from the minors so let’s focus on Matt Harvey first.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:26:36 +0000

I am getting tired of all you arm-chair GM’s. Lets just get the season started. The Mets want to win, more than save money, i can assure you of this fact. The best five will start the rotation, and don’t forget about the second piece to the RA trade, the pitcher, forgot his name.

Lets Go Mets

By: Bayonne Mets Fan

Bayonne Mets Fan — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:23:17 +0000

He might show he’s ready in spring training, jesus christ. Can we at least afford him that? Just let it play out, if he’s ready he comes North. If shows he still needs seasoning he’ll stay behind.

By: Felix Millan

Felix Millan — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:41:19 +0000

Agreed. Rushing Wheeler is a bad idea. Let him develop in AAA, gain some more experience and bring him up later in the season if he’s ready. By the way… “Manuel – presumably more concerned about getting a handful of wins then protecting Parnell emotionally…: Dude, its than not then. Than is a comparison, while then is a time frame. Blog away…

By: Jerseymet

Jerseymet — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:43:47 +0000

Agreed. The Mets should not start the pay clock. Would they Wheeler wait until May of 2014?

By: srt

srt — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:34:06 +0000

Ah…ST, where every player is in the best shape of his life.

That being said, Johan is reported to be feeling great enough to want to pitch in the WBC. That can only be a good sign for him, to start this season. I’m hoping they don’t cough up the insurance though so he doesn’t go.

By: Joe D

Joe D — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:23:05 +0000

I’m hearing Johan is feeling great and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came through and pulled a great season out of his bag of tricks.

By: Fred Wilpon

Fred Wilpon — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:20:31 +0000

If Zack is better then most of the mets pitchers right now, then it’s stupidity to hold him in Vegas.

If he’s lights out this spring, he’s my 5th starter and I look to trade someone to solidify my outfield. Marcum, Gee, or Santana..bye bye.

Holding him back to save money in arbitration years is a small market mind set where dollars mean more then winning. I’m all for Sandy’s plan, but not at the expense of this years record by not utilizing the best players available.

I wish the author had resisted the temptation of writing this post…I kid, I kid.

By: Russell's Mets

Russell's Mets — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:02:42 +0000

That being said there is almost zero chance of Wheeler being called up. first the mets want to buy themselves an extra year of MLB service on the cheap and 2nd look at the depth for starting pitching.

Level 1: Santana, Niese, Marcum, Harvey, Gee, Mejia
Level 2: Collin Mchugh, Hefner