10
2013
Mets Notes: Wheeler Takes Getting Cut In Stride, Marcum Shows Exceptional Command
An article by 
Even without the oblique injury, Zack Wheeler would be opening the season in the minor leagues, which was always the proper decision.
Maybe he wouldn’t have been sent down today with nine others, but as spring training goes on and the need to stretch out the starters increases, Wheeler’s innings would have been reduced, something the Mets did not want to happen.
Since he is better off getting regular innings, today’s demotion was inevitable. With the oblique hampering him, there’s no sense in trying to squeeze him in. He’s better off resuming a normal routine in the minor league camp, where he’ll throw in the bullpen again before getting into a game.There’s always the possibility of Wheeler pitching in a “B” game, but for now he’s in the right place for his development. The Mets have long been accused of rushing pitchers – see Mike Pelfrey and Jenrry Mejia – and as they are building again they can’t afford to make a similar mistake with Wheeler, regardless how he feels.
“It’s the big leagues, of course I want to be here,’’ Wheeler said. “I’m not surprised. They told me this could happen.’’
When Johan Santana went down, there was immediate speculation Wheeler might be the one to replace him on the roster, but general manager Sandy Alderson immediately shot that down, saying the plan of patience used for Matt Harvey would be the same for Wheeler.
“I felt bad for him because of the injury,’’ manager Terry Collins said. “I told him he’s sitting in the same seat Matt Harvey was last year. I told him to do well and force us to call him up.’’
The Mets played Harvey perfectly. They resisted the initial temptation, and eventually brought him up in July when the season was already lost. Harvey impressed in ten starts enough to be in the rotation. They project the same for Wheeler.
Wheeler already had a setback when he strained his right oblique muscle 11 days ago and had to be scratched from a start against St. Louis. Wheeler conceded the injury was a setback. Wheeler made one start this spring, throwing two scoreless innings against Washington.
“I only got out there one time,’’ Wheeler said. “ That’s what I’m kind of mad about. I wanted to sort of get out there and prove myself. I hope I’ll be up here soon.’’
Several things have to happen if Wheeler is to see Citi Field soon, including injuries to a pitcher in the major league rotation; Wheeler’s performance at Triple-A Vegas, and, of course, economic considerations.
“I told him to work on his secondary pitches and fastball command on both sides of the plate,’’ pitching coach Dan Warthen said.
Wheeler is aware what needs to improve if he’s to succeed in the major league. He’s aware he can beat hitters with his stuff in the minor leagues, but realizes he needs more finesse and guile in the major leagues.
“I need to keep working on my curveball and getting it over for strikes,’’ Wheeler said. “I want to keep my pitch count down and get deeper into games.’’
Economically, if Wheeler stays in the minors for the first 20 games of the season he can’t be credited with a full year of major league service time, which would delay his free agency season from after 2018 to 2019.
It is anticipated the cutoff date for the extra year of salary arbitration might be June 15, so it is entirely feasible Wheeler will be called up after that date. That’s also the same time we might see catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud.
Unless there’s a dire need, don’t expect to see Wheeler before June 15.
MARCUM PITCHES WELL: Shaun Marcum was exceptional today, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings while giving up one hit and striking out two in the Mets’ 3-0 victory over St. Louis.
“I saw a lot that I liked,’’ Collins said. “He had tremendous command and that’s his trademark. He made pitch after pitch.’’
Marcum, penciled in as the fifth starter, is confident in his progress.
“I feeling like I’m heading in the right direction,’’ Marcum said. “I need to build up my pitch count.’’
Mechanically, Marcum said he doesn’t have command of his change-up and is pushing it rather than throwing it with a natural release.
When his change-up doesn’t have the right movement and goes horizontally rather than dip, it is a sign he is flying open with his shoulder and not staying on top.
METS NOTEBOOK: Jordany Valdespin continues to impress, today driving in a run with a seventh-inning single. … Alderson said it still is too early to make a determination on placing Santana on the disabled list to open the season. … Frank Francisco threw off the mound. The reports were good, but Collins said: “Be careful what you see in March and be careful what you see in September.’’ Translation: He’s opening the season on the DL. … Wheeler highlighted the list of ten cuts, which included: pitchersGonzalez Germen, Collin McHugh, Elvin Ramirez and Hansel Robles; left-hander Darin Gorski; infielders Reese Havens and Wilfredo Tovar; outfielders Juan Lagares and Cesar Puello. The Mets are down to 45 players in camp.
About the Author: John Delcos
I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.
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Valdespin better be an Opening Day starter. He’s done nothing but prove he should be.
I agree. Not because of his spring training performance, but because of his improvement in plate discipline near the end of last year.
But the key is that he’s continued to show that, in Winter ball, and in the Spring.
He’s got pop, and hes got energy. He may not be Reyes, but he might be his spiritual replacement for what he can do for the team.
Hi John,
As a fan, I was kind of surprised that Wheeler was cut so soon but can understand it from the team’s perspective. However, I do miss not having more than one opportunity to see what he could have done against major league hitting, albeit being just spring training. Two innings in late February was way too little a glimpse.
It was never a question of his stuff as it was control and secondary pitches. He should not be rushed mid-season if still in need to learn how to master them. After that comes the big test that I think we are all waiting for.
I think it was ultra-conservative to cut Wheeler so soon. I just don’t see any harm in him sticking around and gradually pitching in higher-level competitive games for the rest of the month and see how he does. smh.
this is right when teams start focusing on the guys that are likely to be on the OD roster, or legitimately fighting for a spot, and getting them the ABs and IPs to be ready for the season. Not spending them on guys going down, just to experiment.
oh really? Now is the time that they think what the roster going North is going to look like, now?
Silly me for thinking that there still is lots of time to evaluate and cut/keep players.
Wow, thanks for that. You’re “in the know” #sarcasm
Thanks for telling me how these things work, Mr. stranger.
I am glad that I could help educate you on how things work. NP.
note, it was not the final roster, just the guys that have some actual chance of being on it
Baiting?
Stalking?
Yes you are!
I mean so far I have yet to hear a single opinion of your on BASEBALL…
Just reviews of what you think Bayonne said!
Bayonne, if we assume that the decision was made long ago for him to start the season in the minors, what is your disagreement with sending him down now? Seems to me it accomplishes a number of things. For one, it allows other pitchers to get necessary innings, and it lets Wheeler work on his game with far less pressure. And it takes the “will he make the big club” storyline away from the media, which would have otherwise been a distraction.
Seems to me that this is a very smart move, again assuming there was no way they were letting him start the year up north.
I’m better than you
Ya, that 3 hour epilogue really drags things down.
I just think there’s nothing wrong with exposing him to higher levels of competition…in Spring Training mind you…….for a couple more weeks. It could do nothing but good for his confidence and if he got whacked around (which I don’t think he would have) they have plenty of time to send him down. To just think this was too tepid an approach borderline babying.
He’s here let him have some fun against the big boys for awhile. No harm no foul.
The selfish part of me is disappointed to not have had a chance to see more of Wheeler but I know what is important is getting Wheeler healthy and ready for this season as he prepares for what might be his last season in the minors.
Valdespin continues to do all he can do which is hit. Still rooting for you kid. Keep it going.
It’s good to hear Marcum put in a solid performance as he continues to get ready for the season. Speaking of solid performance I am liking the buzz Familia is getting of late coming out of the pen. He’s another kid I am rooting for. Hope he makes the club.
Also Wright continues to make his Country and the Mets proud.
21 Days 17 hours and 43 minutes to Opening Day. Jeeze seems like so far away.
this does seem like the longest off season in history. OD can’t come soon enough.
and it is nice to actually see a few positions where guys are staking a claim and creating real competition.
Spin arguably is the best athlete on the roster. Can hit, run, play infield, outield, show power. Kid wants to play and is working hard.
DO-MI-NI-CANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!
just cuz travis is on the MLB squad, it does not mean he should start…
a smart GM, simply has travis up to be Buck’s understudy…same way Posey did with Molina in SF…
in alot of ways, Thole got shafted here in NYC, his first year as a catcher and he had to “platoon” with Sandy’s choice, Ronnie Paulino
then again, in the 2010 off-season, Thole didnt go to winter ball, instead he got married and chilled out…worked out with some catcher/tutor, but thats not the same thing as a competitive game.
2011, he regresses at the plate and behind the dish…
still no winter ball for thole…
2012, he regresses some more…
i take that back, Thole shot himself in the foot
“in alot of ways, Thole got shafted here in NYC, his first year as a catcher and he had to “platoon” with Sandy’s choice, Ronnie Paulino”
Thole debuted in 2009
Yup and had Hot Rod and Blanco as “mentors” in 2010.
DONAL, WERE U OUT GETTING BREWS EVERYTIME THEY SHOWED A REPLAY WHERE THOLE WAS SQUEEZING HIS EYES SHUT ANTICIPATIONG A FOUL TO THE MASK? IS IT ANY WONDER HOW IT IS THAT DICKEY COULD’VE WALKED SO FEW WHILE HIS PRIMARY CATCHER LED THE LEAGUE IN PASSEDBALLS 2 SEASONS RUNNING? U NEED TO SEE THE BALL TO CATCH THE BALL FLOATER OR NOT! BETWEEN ALL THE HOURS SANDY, Jr INVESTED+ BLANCO+HOTROD THE TUTORING ALLOWANCE FOR THOLE BY METS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A VILLAGE IDIOT AN ACADEMIC FULL RIDE TO HARVARD!
DICKEY CERTAINLY MUST WONDER WHY HE’S SO BLESSED TO HAVE THOLE AS HIS ‘MATE’ SHADOW. PERHAPS DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE MAY MANAGE TO KEEP HIS EYES OPEN! LOL
REMEMBER, THOLE WAS DEVELOPED @ 1B NOT ‘C’ THROUGH MOST OF HIS DEVELOPMENT SEASONS IN MINORS.
I’D LIKE TO SHARE MY PERSONAL NICKNAME FOR THIS WHEELER/HARVEY TANDEM WHICH I’VE MONIKERED “WHEELS & THE RABBIT” TO EXPLAIN
WHEELS IS SELF EXPLANATARY
THE RABBIT, FOR THOSE TOO YOUNG TO APPRECIATE THE CLASSIC COMEDY FROM 1950, OF JIMMY STEWART’S “HARVEY”[YES,VIRGINIA, HE STARRED IN SOMETHING BESIDES "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"...LOL...] IT MAY BE LESS CUMBERSOME TO USE THE NETFLIX PLOT DESCRIPTION TO FURTHER DEFINE MY CHOICE AS;
Harvey 1950 NR 105 minutes
Affable tippler Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) lives with his sister, Veta (Josephine Hull), and her bashful daughter. They hate his drinking, but what rankles them more is his faithful companion: a 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. Elwood’s embarrassing flight of fancy is foiling Veta’s plans to marry off her daughter, so Veta decides to commit Elwood. But when she confesses she’s seen Harvey, the doctor institutionalizes Veta instead!
I BELIEVE THE END OF LAST SEASON AS WELL AS ST TO DATE HAS EVAPORATED ANY SUSPICIONS OUR HARVEY WAS A RESULT OF TOO ACTIVE FAN IMAGINATIONS. IF WHEELS ULTIMATELY MEETS HIS EXPEACTATIONS AS WELL THEY CAN FEEL FREE TO COMMIT ME ANYTIME! LOL
Cast:James Stewart, Victoria Horne, Charles Drake, Jesse White, Josephine Hull, Cecil Kellaway
TO THOSE TOO IMPATIENT TO APPRECIATE B&W IT SHOOULD BE NOTED A LESS REFINED & ADEPT REPRODUCTION WAS MADE IN 1999 WITH THE SAME BASIC SCRIPT.
I would have liked to see Wheeler get another start vs MLB that he could build on…
But it was a given this was going to happen at somepoint so I don’t have a real issue with the timing….
Met Fans do want to see this guy though and even if just for the Marketing value, giving him another start or two might have been a good move….
If only to keep stringing them along to this promised land of 2014!