Comments on: Projected Mets Opening Day Roster – Are Valdespin and Turner Out?

By: RickeyBobby

RickeyBobby — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:08:28 +0000

I’d like a Brown/VSpin platoon, Duda in Lf maybe spot started by Byrd and in Cf I’d either like to see a platoon of Cowgill/Kirk or, for some reson I wouldn’t mind seeing Kirk getting regular ab’s in AAA for a month even if not playing in cf there and bringing him in to platoon at some point, I’d hate to see him start the season the way he ended it then have to send him to AAA, so I’d like to ‘break’ up and have him get ab’s first. And if that means Patterson gets on the team for a month( if it doesn’t over complicate 40 man)for Cf depth(even thou he is a righty like Cowgill) it’s fine w me—but I’m sure none of this will happen.

I also don’t think they need a pure 1b/3b backup on roster unless prolonged injury. So I don’t think they need Lutz or Turner on opening day roster but if Wright or Ike get hurt they would have to make that move. And this is the case they can carry 6 OF’s, which I’m cool with…

By: RickeyBobby

RickeyBobby — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:24:51 +0000

Does Brown have option to minor league ? If so, I can now see Byrd getting on opening day roster. I’d also like to see Baxter as purely bench/ph/spot start and not platoon so I’d prefer v-spin but he may be out of favor w mgmt. Either way, I believe we’ll see a lot of combinations in the OF this season despite who makes opening day roster.

Turner gone, finally. I actually like OmarQ, and Lutz will prob see time at Citi not sure if opening day roster.

Phase out FF?? Only if he’s hurt. Right now he seems like he won’t be ready for opening day which will open up a spot for another reliever. Plus, Hefner is out of options I think they’ve publically stated they want to keep him, so he def on opening day roster.

By: Trs86

Trs86 — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:33:43 +0000

For some reason my back is hurting after reading this?

By: Stephen M

Stephen M — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:27:28 +0000

I don’t get the infatuation with Baxter. He sucks. Look at the stats. Valdespine needs to play and Nieuwenhuis was also much more productive than Baxter. Byrd is a career 278 hitter with a few fairly big seasons, most recently in 2010. He’s 35, Baxter is 28. Doesn’t matter, Byrd is clearly better. Even Cory Patterson is a better option than Baxter, and he’s surprisingly only 33. Cowgill looks like nothing to me but Chili Davis and Rico Brogna love him so I’d even give him and Den Dekker a look over letting Baxter waste a roster spot. Duda might hit some homers, he’s probably going to be traded eventually unless he really produces big, which I doubt. Either way, even Duda is better than Baxter. Baxter has no power, no speed, and doesn’t hit for average. He’s 28, average build, and was never a top prospect. Why is he a favorite for one of the outfield spots? He shouldn’t even make the team. To me the depth chart for this outfield is obvious. Things can change but to start the season the playing time should go the guys with the most talent. So in order of talent and potential the outfielders should clearly be Valdespine, Nieuwenhuis, Byrd, Decker, Duda, Cowgill, and Patterson. I think if they actually play Valdespine, Niewenhuis and Decker instead of wasting time on guys like Baxter and Turner they’ll have a surprisingly decent outfield…maybe even a good one.

By: Alan from AZ

Alan from AZ — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:42:43 +0000

Joe D…

Thanks for all this good information. While I am not thinking playoffs in 2013, I am thinking that we will be hovering above the point of respectability. How far we go depends on the continued growth of our younger players. I would gamble on Bobby Parnell as the closer as he closed out the 2012 season in that role and was very effective.Sandy has revamped the bullpen again and if Perpetual Pedro is healthy, he will be a great addition along with Brandon Lyons

Unfortunately, we couldn’t add a strong bat in the outfield but it is evident that Capt. Kirk will get the opportunity to be the starter in CF. Mike Baxter was playing very well last year before his injury that saved the no hitter. He is our starting right fielder. Lucas Duda? He will be the left fielder if he starts hitting again like he did at times in 2011. If he can provide some power, we can hide his weak glove. I’d like to think that we will have an outfield as of opening day without Jordany Valdespin who has tools but is not a smart player or a good soldier as a teammate. Andrew Brown and Colin Cowgil can round out the outfield.

The main thing we should all be looking for is to see Jonathon Niese take the last step as a solid if not dominant starter and that Matt Harvey is indeed the real thing! He greatly impressed most of us last season. He has great stuff for sure but it was his composure and confident demeanor that has me thinking that he is going to be our next great starting pitcher. What amazes me is that Wheeler has been rated to be even more of a great prospect. I go to sleep at night thinking a rotation of Harvey, Niese, Wheeler and Syndergard by 2014 and salivate!

I am not a guy who loves to say I told you so…but I really think that Sandy A is doing the job despite the fact that far too many fans demand a winner now.

When all is said and done…we will see that his plan and rebuilding does take 4-5 years.

Have a great day Joe D

By: HarryDoyle

HarryDoyle — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:22:22 +0000

Joe D,

When making your projected roster it would help to mention such things as the 40-man roster and option years. The Mets 40-man roster currently has 40 players on it, and your projected opening day roster includes at least two players, and up to four players, that aren’t on the 40-man (Atchison, Feliciano, Hawkins, Brown).

It would make for a better article to include what players you think would be cut from the 40-man (or what players you think will start the season on the DL like Francisco), to make room for the non-roster invites you think will make the team.

Also, your roster is missing a long-man in the bullpen which will likely be a battle between Hefner and Laffey. I don’t think Atchison and Feliciano are locks. And I think Marlon Byrd deserves a mention to battle for a bench spot.

By: sarge69

sarge69 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:32:20 +0000

I hope that Baxter is not the starting RF and is platooned with Brow or whomever that bats RH cause he was exposed against LH after returning from no hit saving, wall crashing catch in No Han’s game plus I want to see Mets give Lutz, Brown, Cowgill a shot, team can’t be any worse in OF!

Glad that Parnell is finally getting a shot plus I think Hawkins will be a little more consistent than previous pretenders like Acosta and Ramirez.

By: Hitman

Hitman — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:11:47 +0000

This is one of those rare times that we’re both on the same page. Valdy should be the starting RF. I have the same sentiments about Matt Den Dekker as well being in CF.

By: Hitman

Hitman — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:10:22 +0000

“I’m getting a sneaky feeling that injury or no injury, Frank Francisco is being phased out.”

You didn’t pick that up back when Alderson said that he was uncomfortable with Francisco? That was a sign right there that his days were numbered.

Elvin Ramirez possibly could get a spot in the pen, but not Familia? Whaaa?

By: DrDooby

DrDooby — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:32:27 +0000

Unfortunately Patterson can’t really hit. I am not even sure he is in major league camp.

As it is, the Mets have enough dubious cadidates for outfield jobs…

By: srt

srt — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:25:11 +0000

Shoulder surgery. He said the other day that he’s on track to return in July.

By: Donal

Donal — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:20:03 +0000

He’s not done. He still shows the tools and never had the injury issues Martinez did. His biggest problem is there are 30 guys like him in the Mets system.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:17:00 +0000

So, is he done?
Wasnt it surgery?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:15:51 +0000

Where did he play?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:15:00 +0000

I love Bobby, and he has tools, but I dont think he has shown that he has the demeanor to be a closer.
I hope he proves everyone wrong, but I dont see it.
We have quite a few experimental options, but none of them can be considered a “shut down” closer….so where could we go to find that?

Sign Valverde or Ishringhausen?

Convince, & sign, either Oswalt, Penny, Pavano, or Lowe to be a closer?
Sign B. Wilson & wait till June….?
Make a trade…?

I actually think Brad Penny could make a great closer if he wanted to, I think he has the mentality for it.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:12:58 +0000

Sign Valverde or Ishringhausen?

Convince, & sign, either Oswalt, Penney, Pavano, or Lowe to be a closer?
Sign B. Wilson & wait till June….?
Make a trade…?

By: Metties and Beer

Metties and Beer — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:09:17 +0000

Marlon Byrd has a good shot as well with a productive spring. He crushed in winter ball.

By: Metties and Beer

Metties and Beer — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:07:59 +0000

Injured

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:07:39 +0000

And Corey Patterson, I think hes the dark horse in CF, hes a good defensive OF, if he can hit at all.

By: Metties and Beer

Metties and Beer — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:06:54 +0000

Valdespin makes the roster and gets a lot of ABs in the OF as the most athletic player on the roster. Lets not forget how good he was in winter ball. If the mets outfield is truly from the guys in camp valdespin has to be in the mix. If they trade for a CF, valdespin probably is in that deal.