Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

In this weekly feature for MMO, I’m going to look back at the previous week’s games and share some interesting data and information that I’ve collected through various websites such as Baseball-Reference, FanGraphs, and Baseball Savant. It’ll be a mixture of facts, stats, and analytics.

Let’s get into the seven days between June 26 and July 2.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Mets vs. Marlins

David Peterson recorded 16 swings and misses over his seven innings of work in the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on the road. That’s the 4th-most whiffs Peterson has recorded in a game for his major league career.

Jun 26, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

David Peterson did not allow a walk in his seven innings of work against the Marlins on the road. He became the first left-handed Mets pitcher to toss at least seven innings without issuing a walk on the road since Jon Niese on August 18, 2012.

Tommy Hunter made his seventh appearance with the Mets and tossed a scoreless inning in the eighth. Hunter is just the third Mets pitcher to not allow an earned run while striking out double-digit batters in his first seven games with the club, joining Armando Benítez and Duaner Sánchez.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Astros vs. Mets

Starling Marte went 3-for-4 with two doubles in the Mets’ 9-1 loss to the Houston Astros at home. This was the 112th time in Marte’s career that he collected at least three hits in a game. Marte tied Luis Polonia for the 27th-most three-hit games among Dominican-born players.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Astros vs. Mets

Luis Guillorme had 12 defensive chances at third base in the Mets’ 2-0 loss to the Astros. That was the most chances by a third baseman this season, and was three shy of shy of Art Devlin’s 114-year-old Major League record, according to Anthony DiComo.

Taijuan Walker tossed 7.1 scoreless innings in his no-decision. Walker became just the second starting pitcher this season to toss more than seven scoreless innings against the Astros, joining Martín Pérez.

This was Taijuan Walker’s 13th start of the 2022 season and he lowered his season ERA to 2.72 after his 7.1 scoreless innings. In 2021, Walker posted a 2.35 ERA through his first 13 games in 2021. He became just the third Mets pitcher since 2010 with multiple seasons of a sub-2.75 ERA through their first 13 games, joining R.A. Dickey (2010, 2012) and Jacob deGrom (2015-2016, 2018, 2021).

Pete Alonso finished the month of June with 69 RBIs. That’s the most RBI by a Met before July in club history. Mike Piazza owned the record prior with 68 RBIs (2000).

Taijuan Walker’s splitter has been one of the best pitches in baseball this season (-10 Run Value). As of July 1, Walker is one of 19 pitchers in Major League Baseball with a pitch that has a Run Value of at least -10 (negative numbers are better). Tony Gonsolin is the only other pitcher with a Run Value of at least -10 on his splitter.

Baseball Savant

Taijuan Walker has increased the vertical movement on his splitter by over five inches this season (32.8 inches) compared to 2021 (27.7 inches).

Baseball Savant

Pete Alonso finished the month of June with nine home runs, the second-most in the National League (only Kyle Schwarber had more with 12). Alonso also hit nine homers in the month of May, making him the first Met in club history to have nine or more homers in back-to-back months. He also did this the first three months of his career from April to June 2019.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Rangers vs. Mets

David Peterson tossed six innings of three-run ball with a season-high 10 strikeouts in the Mets’ 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers at home. Over his last three starts, Peterson has struck out 25 batters and walked only two. He became just the third left-handed pitcher in franchise history to have a 3-game span of 25 or more strikeouts with no more than 2 walks allowed, joining Jon Matlack (August 23-September 3, 1974) and Johan Santana (April 12-April 24, 2009).

Buck Showalter earned his 1,599th managerial win Friday night, tying Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda for the 22nd-most wins by a manager in Major League history.

Over his first nine appearances of the 2022 season, David Peterson’s whiff% was 25.6 percent. Over his last three outings dating back to June 20, Peterson’s whiff% has increased to 32.7 percent.

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Rangers vs. Mets

Eduardo Escobar hit a solo home run in the fourth inning in the Mets’ 7-3 loss to the Texas Rangers. Escobar’s homer was the 146th of his major league career, which tied Edgardo Alfonzo fo the 18th-most home runs by a Venezuelan-born player.

The post Mets by the Numbers: Taijuan Walker’s Splitter One of Best Pitches in Baseball appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

David Wright took off from first base on a line drive by Yoenis Céspedes into right-center field in the opener of a crucial series against the Mets’ closest NL East pursuer. As the ball skipped off the fence and was retrieved by the Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, Wright turned at third with the intent of heading home — determined to increase New York’s lead in the seventh inning.

Not long ago, it was unknown if Wright, diagnosed in May with spinal stenosis, would play again this year — or ever.

But here he was, in the middle of a key late-season contest — looking to help the Mets reach the postseason for the first time since he was a rising superstar back in 2006.

The emotion that must have been stored up during his time away from the playing field was evident just after he slid safely ahead of the throw from Anthony Rendon and the tag from catcher Wilson Ramos, as he unleashed a violent fist pump accompanied with a primal scream to provide an image (and a GIF) for the ages.

That thrilling sequence made the score 8-5, an advantage held thanks to a brilliant 4.2 innings of work from the bullpen and made possible by clutch hitting from their recent additions to the lineup.

“What a game,” Wright said afterward. “Just, what a game.”

The importance of this series was heightened as New York came off a stumble in Miami. That, combined with Washington’s five straight victories might have suggested a swing in momentum as the Mets held a four-game division lead.

The sweep of the Nationals just over a month ago proved they were prepared to challenge the once-presumed division champs. So even when Wilson Ramos unloaded a grand slam off starter Jon Niese to punctuate a five-run fourth inning, the Mets were yet again unfazed. The Washington outburst nullified the 3-0 lead New York built on the strength of home runs from rookie Michael Conforto, ex-Brave Kelly Johnson, and former Tiger Céspedes.

But against Max Scherzer, New York responded — first with an RBI double by Curtis Granderson in the fifth followed by a sacrifice fly from Travis d’Arnaud in the sixth. Washington’s ace would be lifted with a no-decision.

Then came the decisive top of the seventh. Wilmer Flores led off with a single and moved over to second on a bunt. Granderson walked and Wright singled to produce the go-ahead run. Daniel Murphy drove in Granderson with a fly out to left field. And, finally, the exclamation point of the Céspedes double and Wright’s emphatic celebration.

While the Mets ambushed Washington’s woeful bullpen, the Nats managed only three hits following Niese’s departure in the fourth. New York had set the tone for this three-game set in D.C. with the best still to come.

The post OTD 2015: Céspedes, Wright Highlight Comeback Victory over Nationals appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Baseball is back (almost). This weekend, we’ll see and hear the game we love as the Mets host the Yankees in an exhibition game at Citi Field.

The Mets and Yankees have a history of playing exhibition games.

Spring training matchups took place regularly from the early 1960s through the mid 1980s when the Mets trained in St. Petersburg and the Yankees trained in Fort Lauderdale.

The teams would traverse Florida and play a game in each other’s spring home.

The Mayor’s Trophy game was a New York staple from 1946-1957, when the Yankees would take on either the Dodgers or Giants each year to raise money for New York City’s Amateur Baseball Federation.

The Mets and Yankees began playing the charity event in 1962, and did so through 1983 with the exception of 1980 and 1981.

When inter-league play began in MLB in 1997, New York’s inter-borough baseball began to count in the standings.

The Mets won the first-ever regular season game with the Yankees, however, the bombers won that inaugural series two games to one.

The Mets and Yankees have played a total of 122 regular season games, with the Yankees holding a 71-51 edge over their neighbors from Queens.

In 2013, though, the Mets were quite successful over the guys from the Bronx.

You may recall the 2013 Mets.

They were in the midst of a rebuild, and posted a record of 74-88. Their opening day lineup looked like this:

Collin Cowgill CF

Daniel Murphy 2B

David Wright 3B

Ike Davis 1B

Marlon Byrd RF

Lucas Duda LF

John Buck C

Ruben Tejada SS

Jon Niese P

The Mets won their Opening Day game 11-2, but by the time the Yankees came to Citi Field on May 27th, the Mets were struggling with a 18-29 record.

They sent Niese to the mound to square off against Phil Hughes.

The Yankees held a 1-0 lead, when the Mets came up in the seventh.

David Wright tied the game with a home run, and after Brandon Lyon pitched a scoreless eighth, Daniel Murphy drove in Jordany Valdespin with a go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame.

Bobby Parnell sealed the win for the Mets with a scoreless ninth.

The next night, Matt Harvey made the start for the Mets, opposing Hiroki Kuroda.

Harvey was very good, striking out 10 through eight innings, but the Mets were down 1-0 going into the ninth.

Mariano Rivera came in to do what his Hall of Fame career says he did exceptionally well: deliver the save for the Yankees.

But the Mets would have none of it on this night, with Rivera not even recording an out.

The Mets tied the game when Wright singled home Murphy, who had led off with a double.

Lucas Duda delivered the game-winner, singling in Wright who had taken second on a throw home, sealing the walk off win.

You can see the ninth inning heroics in the video below:

The scene shifted to the Bronx on May 29th for two games to complete the home-and-home series.

Jeremy Hefner (Mets’ current pitching coach) toed the rubber against David Phelps.

The Mets ambushed Phelps for five in the top of the first, highlighted by RBIs from Murphy, John Buck, and Ike Davis.

Hefner pitched six strong innings before yielding to Scott Rice and LaTroy Hawkins, as the Mets cruised to a 9-4 victory.

With a chance to sweep the Yankees on May 30th, Dillon Gee made the start for the Mets, opposed by Vidal Nuno III.

Gee was outstanding, hurling seven and a third innings, striking out 12.

Marlon Byrd clubbed a two-run home run, and Robinson Cano hit a solo shot for the Yankees.

The Mets led 2-1, when Buck drove in Omar Quintanilla in the eighth.

Bobby Parnell pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve a Mets 3-1 win, and a four-game series sweep.

The sweep of the Yankees was a highlight of the 2013 season, along with the All-Star Game being played at Citi Field, and Matt Harvey‘s must-see starts through late August until he went down with an elbow injury that lead to Tommy John surgery.

The Mets were not good in 2013, and the Yankees were injury-ravished, but it always feels good to beat the cross-town rivals.

After these two exhibition games (where we’ll be happy just to see baseball), the Mets will tangle six times (10 percent of their schedule) with the Yankees in the abbreviated 2020 season.

The games will not only be extra special, they’ll also have a greater-than-usual impact on the standings.

The post Amazin’ Memories: Mets Sweep 2013 Subway Series appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning Mets fans! The inevitable moment of Pete Alonso being crowned National League Rookie of the Year officially came to pass on Monday night. Alonso received 29 of 30 first-place votes to become the sixth Rookie of the Year in Mets history.

Latest Mets News

The Mets have met with current Minnesota Twins assistant pitching coach and former Met Jeremy Hefner as well as Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter in regards to their vacant pitching coach position, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.

Brodie Van Wagenen spoke to the media at the General Manager Meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona and discussed a variety of different topics in regards to the team’s offseason plans and 2020 expectations.

Jacob deGrom is expected join Alonso in taking home some hardware when the National League Cy Young Award is officially announced on Wednesday night.

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic explained why he voted for Mike Soroka over Alonso for NL Rookie of the Year.

SNY created a video of Noah Syndergaard, Dominic Smith, Steven Matz and Michael Conforto congratulating Alonso on being named NL Rookie of the Year.

Mike Puma of the New York Post noted that Alonso also won the “Good Guy” award from the New York chapter of the BBWAA. The award is given to the player who is most cooperative with the media. It will be given to Alonso at the BBWAA dinner on Jan. 25.

Jon Niese, who has not pitched in the majors since 2016, is working on making an MLB comeback as a reliever, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Niese is planning on pitching for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League at the end of November as a way to showcase himself.

Latest MLB News

Yordan Alvarez was unanimously named American League Rookie of the Year.

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom told the media that Dustin Pedroia plans to play in 2020. Pedroia played in a combined nine games in 2018 and 2019, and underwent three knee surgeries since Oct. 25, 2017.

The New York Yankees will promote Carlos Mendoza from infield coach to bench coach according to Sweeny Murti of WFAN.

Hanley Ramirez will play for los Tigres de Licey in the Dominican Winter League according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. Ramirez is coming back from right shoulder surgery that he underwent in July.

Latest NL East News

Soroka was the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up as he took home one first-place vote, 25 second-place votes and two third-place votes.

The Miami Marlins have interest in Nick Castellanos according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ search for a hitting coach includes Washington Nationals assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon, former Phillies hitting coach Matt Stairs and Mets 2019 hitting coach Chili Davis, per Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Latest on MMO

John Sheridan compiled together an All-Decade Team of Mets who played in the 1980s.

Tim Ryder uploaded the latest episode of the Simply Amazin’ podcast where he and Jack Hendon discussed free agency among other things.

Brian Devine listed and wrote about seven pitching coach options for the Mets.

Matt Musico discussed the shortcomings of Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie in 2019 and how their presence on the roster complicates things as Van Wagenen makes decisions for the 2020 season during the offseason.

Dilip Sridhar wrote an “MMO Free Agent Profile” on Chris Martin.

This Day in Mets History

Birthdays: Aaron Heilman turns 41, Gary Thurman turns 55 and Al Schmelz turns 76.

The post Morning Briefing: Alonso Becomes Sixth Met To Win NL ROY appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good Morning, everyone. I wanted to put together an offseason planner and I included some upcoming important dates to remember. Essentially what follows is a summary I compiled of our 2017 Payroll Commitments, Arbitration Eligible Players and Free Agents, along with some observations and a current payroll projection.

Important Dates

Five days after World Series: Deadline for teams to make qualifying offers to their eligible former players who became free agents

12 days after World Series: Deadline for free agents to accept qualifying offers

Dec. 2: Last day for teams to offer 2017 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters

Dec. 5-8: Winter Meetings, Washington, D.C.

Dec. 8: Rule 5 Draft

Guaranteed Contracts

David Wright – $20,000,000

Curtis Granderson – $15,000,000

Asdrubal Cabrera – $8,250,000

Juan Lagares – $4,500,000

The Mets have $47,750,000 tied up on these four players.

2017 Team Options

Jay Bruce – $13,000,000 with $1,000,000 buyout

Jon Niese – $10,000,000 with $500,000 buyout

Jose Reyes – $510,000 (MLB minimum)

The Mets are expected to exercise their team options on Jay Bruce and Jose Reyes. However, there’s no chance Jon Niese returns and the Mets will only be responsible for the buyout amount. It’s a safe bet to add $14.1 million to the current projected payroll.

Arbitration Eligible

Josh Edgin – ($500K)  $800,000

Jeurys Familia – ($4.1M)  $8,800,000

Lucas Duda – ($4.2M)  $6,700,000

Matt Harvey – ($4.3M)  $5,200,000

Jacob deGrom – ($600K)  $4,500,000

Rene Rivera – ($443K)  $2,200,000

Addison Reed – ($5.2M)  $11,100,000

Wilmer Flores – ($520K)  $1,900,000

Travis d’Arnaud – ($540K)  $1,700,000

Justin Ruggiano – ($180K)  $1,500,000

Jim Henderson – ($507K)  $1,400,000

Zack Wheeler – ($546K)  $1,000,000

The number in parenthesis represents each player’s 2016 salary while the second number is the projected salary for the 2017 by MLB Trade Rumors. In 2016 these 12 players earned $21.6 million dollars. That number is projected to climb to $46.8 million.

The most significant increases will go to Addison Reed who will get a $5.8 million raise, Jeurys Familia will see his salary increase by $4.7 million, and Jacob deGrom who gets a $3.9 million bump. Lucas Duda, who missed most of the season, will get a $2.5 million raise.

Free Agents – 2015 Salary

Yoenis Cespedes – $27,500,000

Neil Walker – $10,550,000

James Loney – $9,666,667*

Bartolo Colon – $7,250,000

Alejandro De Aza – $5,750,000

Jerry Blevins – $4,000,000

Fernando Salas – $2,400,000

Kelly Johnson $2,000,000

According to reports, the Mets are expected to make Neil Walker a $16.7 million qualifying offer. Aside from Yoenis Cespedes, who the Mets will try to re-sign to a multi-year contract, it’s not yet clear if any of the other players will be returning. I’m betting that Bartolo Colon will return for one more year at roughly $11 million dollars.

So if you were to total the figures from the guaranteed contracts, team options and projected arbitration amounts, we get a total of $108,650,000 in approximate payroll for 18 players. That figure does not include Walker, Cespedes or Colon who would add another roughly $55 million to bring payroll above $160 million..

It leads to a lot of different questions. Do the Mets decide not to pick up the option on Jay Bruce given the outfield logjam? Do the Mets give serious thought to non-tendering Lucas Duda and hope he re-signs for much less than the $6.7 million dollars? Do they reconsider their initial stance of giving Neil Walker a qualifying offer and stick with T.J. Rivera? So many questions, so little time. Stay tuned.

The post Mets Offseason Planner: Payroll Commitments, Arbitration, Free Agents appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The New York Mets announced that LHP Jon Niese will undergo arthroscopic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery tomorrow to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee. Mets Team Physician Dr. Struan Coleman will perform the procedure.

Niese, 29, said he has been dealing with pain in his knee since June, but felt no pain warming up in the bullpen before Tuesday’s start against the St. Louis Cardinals.

However, in the first inning he felt a pop in his knee after the second batter, and then experienced a shooting pain down his left leg, eventually prompting his removal from the game after facing just four batters by Terry Collins.

“It progressively got worse and worse,” said Niese, who likely ends his second tenure with the Mets with an 11.45 ERA in six appearances. “Every pitch, there was just a sharp, shooting pain down my leg. … I’ve got to get it fixed. I can’t keep going out there like that.”

For now, rookie right-hander Robert Gsellman will take Niese’s next turn in the rotation this Sunday. Gsellman threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief after Niese left the game on Tuesday. 

The Mets recalled RHP Erik Goeddel to take Niese’s spot on the 25-man roster. He will pitch out of the bullpen.

The post Niese Will Have Knee Surgery Thursday, Mets Recall Goeddel appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Another dubious decision by manager Terry Collins could have caused damaging results, but the Mets were saved by a couple of pitching prospects who performed gracefully under pressure.

In a must win series opener against the Cardinals, starter Jon Niese lasted a third of an inning as his faulty knee failed him, retiring only one of the four batters he faced.

Rookies Robert Gsellman and Josh Smoker restored order tossing a combined 5 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the Mets alive and well in the wild card hunt, with Gsellman getting the 7-4 win in his major league debut.

Gsellman’s introduction to the bigs was foreboding when his first offering was drilled for a double off the bat of Yadier Molina, scoring two of the runners he inherited from Niese.  After Jhonny Peralta tied it up with a ground out to Reyes, the young right-hander struck out Jedd Gyorko, maintaining his cool for the rest of his joyous stay.

Even though Gsellman was warned Niese may have an early exit.  “It was my first time ever coming out of the bullpen, so it felt kind of awkward,” Gsellman said. “You still have to take the mound the same way as when you’re starting.”

Gsellman showed some jitters, but also flashed some big-league stuff after that Molina double, and we saw some of the maturity and pitching smarts that his former B-Mets manager Pedro Lopez talked about in April.

“I think he’s going to be the next guy, I really believe so,” Lopez said of Gsellman. “He probably doesn’t light you guys up with the radar gun. Probably he doesn’t throw the 97, 98 like Syndergaard, Wheeler, Harvey, Matz. I’ll tell you what, this guy — we talked about him in the meetings when big-league camp started.”

Another interesting point in the cited article, was that despite trading away 10 minor-league pitchers last season, the Mets held on to Gsellman and then added him to the 40-man roster last off-season to protect him in the Rule 5 Draft. It seemed obvious he was being regarded as a keeper.

Offensively for the Mets, they continue to flex some more muscle since they’ve gotten healthier. Wilmer Flores drew first blood last night, with a three run blast in the top of the first, which Niese gave right back in the bottom of the inning.

But Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera, red hot from his return from the DL, regained the lead on consecutive run-scoring hits in the 2^nd, then Justin Ruggiano provided a signature moment when he crushed a solo shot to center for a 6-3 cushion in the 4^th.  The 461-foot blast eclipsed the 457-foot homer by Yoenis Cespedes that was deemed the longest of the season. 

After a Randal Grichuk line drive home run closed the gap 6-4, James Loney picked a fine time to break his slump with a flare to center field, tacking on another dose of insurance.

St. Louis had many attempts to get back in the game, but the Mets bullpen of Jerry Blevins, Jim Henderson, and Addison Reed muscled their way out of men in scoring position, paving the way for Jeurys Familia’s MLB-leading 42^nd save.

This monumental win puts the Mets 3 ½ games within striking distance of St. Louis for the second wild card spot, and a chance to gain more ground on Wednesday when Jacob deGrom, looking to redeem himself after his last dreadful outing against the Giants, takes the mound.

The post Young Arms and Healthy Bats Revive Mets Wild Card Hunt appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mets pitcher, Jon Niese lasted just a third of an inning before leaving the game due to injury. He was replaced by rookie, Robert Gsellman, who helped navigate his team to victory in his major league debut.

Niese, 29, left Tuesday’s 7-4 victory over St. Louis after feeling a pop in his left knee. In his short time in the game he allowed three runs on one hit while walking two. He is reportedly heading to the disabled list due to the injury, it is believed the team will call up Erik Goeddel in his place. Niese spoke of his injury after Tuesday’s win.

“It progressively got worse and worse. I think that curveball I threw to Moss was the one where I felt a little pop in there. Every pitch there was just a sharp, shooting pain down my leg. I’ve got to get it fixed.”

“I can’t keep going out there. There’s a lot of pain. It’s altering my mechanics. I’m not able to stay behind each pitch. I’m not able to locate. I’m just really not helping myself out, or the team, when I can’t compete out there when I’m hurt.” (ESPN)

Gsellman would enter the game for the Mets lefty, pitching in his first major league game and for the first time out of the bullpen. He would go on to pitch 3.2 innings for the team, picking up his first major league win. He reportedly was advised earlier in the day that Niese may be making an early exit and to be ready to come in at any time.

“It was my first time ever coming out of the bullpen, so it felt kind of awkward,” Gsellman said. “You still have to take the mound the same way as when you’re starting. … They told me to be ready when I got here. I just had to take a couple of deep breaths and realize where I was.”

The rookie entered into a mess in the first with two runners on base with just one out. He allowed both inherited runners to score but quickly settled down afterwards. Gsellman allowed two hits on the night while walking three and striking out two.

The win moved the Mets back within 3.5 games of the second Wild-Card spot in which the Cardinals occupy. The team has now won three games in a row and seem to be clicking at the right time as they are in the midst of an all important series to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The post Niese Headed to DL, Goeddel Recalled, Gsellman Helps Save the Day appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets spent another night at the heartbreak hotel with a close play at the plate that could have given them a rare 9^th inning rally.

Battling back from a 6-1 deficit, New York pulled within one with runners on first and second when Travis d’Arnaud poked a two out single to shallow right.

But Jay Bruce, whose bat has finally found good fortune, was gunned down at home on a one-hop throw by the savvy charging J.D. Martinez to end all hope of any heroics.  How unlucky are the Mets? On a night when the Mets finally get a crucial hit with RISP, it’s still not enough.

“I was kind of in a way anticipating it a little bit,” Martinez said. “I wasn’t confident that he was really going to drive something over my head, so I kind of just shaded in a little bit more than perhaps they say you should.”

Mets pitcher Logan Verrett lasted a lean 3 2/3 innings, giving up 6 runs on seven hits, falling to 3-7, in his latest attempt to be a viable a MLB starter.

Tied at one in the bottom of the 4^th, Detroit went Motown on the Mets scoring five runs on a double by Victor Martinez followed by a barrage of singles by J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Miguel Cabrera.

Jon Niese, the lateral move the Mets made to replace Antonio Bastardo, relieved Verrett, and with two on and two out two additional runs crossed the plate.

Bruce and Curtis Granderson both went deep, but the merry go round of men left on base continued, as the Mets were 2-for-12 with RISP.

And in what has been a series of missed opportunities, Terry Collins second-guessed his dubious decision to not challenge the final play at the plate.

“That might be one of those plays where you might as well just take the chance anyway and see what happens. I didn’t think about it.”

What was very apparent on that play at the plate, besides the obvious out call, was that Saltalamacchia was blocking the plate without the ball.

Reportedly, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was fuming by the non-challenge, and it was the second straight game that Collins failed to challenge a call. The non-challenge on Friday would have gone in the Mets’ favor in a game they lost by one run.   

The Mets are now nine in back of the Nationals, two behind the Marlins and Cards for the wildcard, and two away from a .500 record.

On Sunday, the Mets are hoping Jacob deGrom can help them avoid a three game sweep. DeGrom has emerged as the team’s most reliable starter and he boasts a remarkable 1.54 ERA in his last seven starts.

The post Jay Bruce Was Inches Away From Plating A Late Inning Rally appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Tyler asks…

Why is Jon Niese still on this team? They should have traded him two years ago but now it’s even more important to get rid of him and put that $9 million dollars to better use. Thoughts?

Dr. Dooby replies…

The frequent calls to trade Mets left-hander Jon Niese to pick up some payroll flexibility are somewhat perplexing and even misguided. Most teams need 9 or 10 starting pitchers to make it through an entire season. That´s why all the “let’s trade Jon Niese” talk seems rather weird to me.

Niese started 29 games for the Mets in 2015 and allowed three or less runs in 19 of those starts. His peripherals all took a hit from his fine season in 2014, but Niese still had prolonged periods of effectiveness this past season.

Right now, Niese will be needed as the Mets’ number five starter for the 2016 season. Zack Wheeler will be an option by July in all likelihood, but odds are the Mets will still have to use 3 to 4 more starters to make it through the season. One as an emergency starter / long reliever on the major league roster and a couple of more at Triple-A who can come up and fill in when needed.

For now, the only three realistic and major league ready candidates for this role are Logan Verrett, Sean Gilmartin and Rafael Montero (if healthy). Eventually, Gabriel Ynoa, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo may emerge as candidates – but almost certainly not before July.

J.A. Happ – a pitcher who has put up nearly identical numbers to Jon Niese – just received a three-year, $36 million contract, so I don´t think you can get an adequate replacement for Niese at less cost. Maybe you can re-sign Bartolo Colon to a 1-year, $9 million type deal, but that’s merely replacing Niese at the same cost.

You will only be able to land lesser pitchers at lower cost. Sure, you can probably get Ryan Vogelsong, Aaron Harang or Kyle Kendrick for less than $5 million. But that’s a significant downgrade from Niese. Or you can look to sign someone like Justin Masterson, Mat Latos or Doug Fister to a one-year deal in a similar range to Niese and hope for a bounce-back. But I wouldn’t bet on any of them outpitching Niese either.

Niese is signed to a very modest and quite team friendly deal due to the club options. And his trade value isn’t really huge either as he’s getting paid pretty close to market value. So, why trade him? He won’t bring back a major piece. And replacing him would cost the Mets a similar amount of money.

The post MMO Mailbag: Should The Mets Trade Jon Niese? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.