Marc Tramuta, the Mets director of amateur scouting for six years is departing from New York and heading north to be special assistant, player personnel with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Metsmerized’s Mike Mayer. Tramuta had moved to a senior advisor role in international and amaetuer scouting for the Mets before the 2023 season. 

Tramuta has been with the Mets organization since 2012. Current Mets contributors like Pete Alonso, David Peterson, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos were all drafted during Tramuta’s tenure. 

Photo via Andy Marlin of USA Today

Latest Mets News

After leaving Sunday’s game after taking a ball, catcher Francisco Alvarez is expected to be fine. Tim Britton of The Athletic reported the team isn’t worried about the catcher and that he felt better on Monday. 

A GoFundMe to support Jaison Vilera, a former member of the Mets farm system made its way through social media Wednesday. According to the fundraiser, Vilera has been diagnosed with a form of cancer called choriocarcinoma, which has already spread to several parts of his body. More info can be found here.

Joe Christopher, an outfielder of the expansion Mets team passed away Tuesday at 87. Christopher was the Mets fifth-round draft pick of the expansion draft preceding the teams 1962 debut and was with the team until he was traded to Boston in 1966.

Latest MLB News

On Tuesday, the MLB playoffs went into full swing. On the opening night’s festivities the Rangers defeated the Rays 4-0 behind seven innings of shutout ball from Jordan Montgomery.

The Twins ended an 18-game playoff losing streak behind two home runs from Royce Lewis in a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Diamondbacks defeated the Brewers 6-3, a two-run double from Christian Walker in the ninth proved to be huge, increasing the Arizona lead from a single run to three runs.

In an NL East matchup, the Phillies defeated the Marlins 4-1 with former Met Zack Wheeler throwing 6 ⅔, striking out eight and giving up a single run. 

Manny Machado underwent surgery to repair a right extensor tendon on Tuesday, the San Diego Padres announced. The recovery time is expected to be between four and six months.

Latest on MMO

Christian De Block gives the latest on the supposed mutual interest between Pete Alonso and the Chicago Cubs.

How would you grade Francisco Lindor‘s season? Christian De Block does just that in shortstop’s end of season report card.

This Date in Mets History

1969: The MLB held their first ever division championship games. The Mets defeated the Braves 9-5, kicking off a path that ended with the franchises first World Series.

1975: Co-founder and owner of the Mets, Joan Payson, passed away

Birthday: Dennis Cook (61)

The post Morning Briefing: Marc Tramuta Leaves Mets for Toronto appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 World Series is almost set. Both the Philadelphia Phillies, surprisingly, and the more believable, Houston Astros, are each one win away.

The Phillies marched to a thrilling 10-6 victory Saturday, thanks in large part to an electric performances by Rhys Hoskins (2 HRs, 4 RBI) and Bryce Harper (2-for-4, 2 RBI). This increased their series lead to 3-1 over the San Diego Padres. A World Series appearance would be the team’s first since 2009 (loss against the Yankees).

Meanwhile, the Astros continued their domination over the New York Yankees. They shutout the Yankees, 5-0, on Saturday. Gerrit Cole allowed five runs, three earned, over five innings of work in the loss. This would be the Astros  fourth World Series appearance since 2017 (have won one over that span).

Game 5: San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 2:37 P.M. ET – Series 3-1, Philadelphia 

Besides a hiccup in Game 2, the Phillies have relatively controlled the series against San Diego. There is some rain in the forecast this afternoon in South Philadelphia, though, if the game gets in, it is very possible there is bedlam in the City of Brotherly Love by evening’s end.

Today, Philadelphia will turn to one of their two aces, Zack Wheeler (2-1, 1.40 ERA), to get the job done. Wheeler pitched in Game 1 of the series and turned in seven dominant innings. He struck out eight and only allowed one hit. It resulted in a 2-0 Phillies win.

In that same game, the Padres pitched their ace, Yu Darvish (2-1, 2.84 ERA). Darvish also pitched well. He threw seven innings, allowing three hits (two home runs), two runs, and struck out 7. Expect a very low-scoring game in Philadelphia today, much like Game 1 when each of these pitchers faced eachother on October 18.

Padres Lineup

Game 5. Let's go. #CaptureTheMoment pic.twitter.com/U2w9rkcsD2

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 23, 2022

Phillies Lineup

You wanna do it again? #RingTheBell

📺: @FS1
📻: @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/fDEzNxcIUq

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 23, 2022

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees, 7:07 P.M. ET – Series 3-0, Houston

The Astros have dominated the Yankees thus far. They have outscored New York, and their lowly offense, 12-4 over the three-game period. The Yankees’ offense is completely lifeless at the worst possible time. As mentioned, a Houston victory in the Bronx later tonight, can send the Yankees home short of a World Series appearance yet again.

To extend the series, the Yankees will have to hit off Lance McCullers. McCullers has made one start this postseason, a six-inning, two-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. He held Seattle off the board and struck out seven in the appearance.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will throw Nestor Cortes (1-0, 2.70 ERA) in the do-or-die Game 4. Cortes, who turned in a wonderful regular season, got hit around a bit in his two starts against Cleveland, though, only allowed three runs total. He made two five-inning starts, allowing a total of nine hits, and struck out a total of five. Though, as mentioned, only allowed three runs. He got the job done each time.

Astros Lineup: pending

Yankees Lineup: pending

The post Game Threads: Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros Look To Advance appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff McNeil is raking right now. He is arguably one of the hottest hitters in the league right now. And the second baseman was at the very peak of his powers yet again on Saturday. As he was once again was dominant at the plate against the Phillies.

All that trade speculation back in the winter regarding the possibility of McNeil being moved feels a long, long time ago now. Having struggled somewhat in 2021, the 30-year-old has carved out quite the bounce-back year and he’s been almost unstoppable for over a month now. He is doing it both offensively, and defensively.

Entering Saturday with one of the hottest bats in MLB, McNeil went to work to absolutely torment Phillies’ ace and former teammate Zack Wheeler in the first game of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. After lining out in his first at-bat, McNeil hit a leadoff single in the top of the fifth to serve notice of what would follow. That hit in itself was vital in the overall context of the game in that McNeil and Tyler Naquin would go on to score on a Michael Perez single to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.

McHit. 🐿️ pic.twitter.com/Mu1775IVDp

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 20, 2022

Once again, the Mets were doing a nice job of making contact and putting the ball in play, and that was true in the sixth inning as McNeil again singled to score Francisco Lindor and advance Daniel Vogelbach to second. That hit increased the lead to 4-0 and it also chased Wheeler from the game. McNeil wasn’t done there, either. Despite the Phillies having a position player on the mound in the ninth, the veteran again did a good job of making hard contact again to hit another single into center field to drive in another run.

McNeil finished the first game of the doubleheader 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run, and he was also the only offensive player to come out of a frustrating second game with any credit. He had the only extra-base hit of the game for the Mets – a double in the ninth inning – and he also flashed that elite glove of his with a stunning diving catch to get out J.T. Realmuto and save two runs. It was just the latest in a long line of highlight-reel plays made by McNeil in the field this season.

Jeff McNeil 🤝 flying squirrel pic.twitter.com/e2ajAtepba

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 21, 2022

McNeil’s electric performance at the plate on Saturday only tells a fraction of the story. The infielder hasn’t only been red hot in August but he’s been hitting at an elite level since July. Coming out of the All-Star break, McNeil has a slash line of .365/.396/.567 with a .964 OPS, three home runs, 12 doubles, 14 RBI and four walks.

Just looking at August, McNeil is slashing .413/.444/.627 with a 1.071 OPS, to go along with 10 doubles, two home runs, three walks and 11 RBI. That’s the definition of getting it done at the plate at a high level. He’s now slashing .318/.371/.458/.830 on the year with seven home runs, 31 doubles, 27 doubles, 49 RBI and a 3.7 WAR. McNeil also recently put together an impressive 13-game hitting streak.

With 122 hits in 384 at-bats heading into Sunday and with a .318 batting average, McNeil currently ranks third in the National League batting title race behind Cardinals’ slugger Paul Goldschmidt (.341) and Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers (.321). McNeil ranks fourth overall in batting average in the majors.

Now, when it comes to a quest for a batting title, McNeil has some ground to make up the rest of the way. However, with the way he has been hitting both out of the All-Star break and in the month of August, don’t be surprised if McNeil does indeed catch up with the leaders in the clubhouse and claim a first career batting title. He looks unstoppable at the plate right now so you wouldn’t bet against it.

The post Jeff McNeil Continues To Perform At A High Level appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, May 29, 2022 • 7:08 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zack Wheeler (3-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (4-2, 3.91 ERA)
ESPN • WCBS 880 AM

The Mets go for the sweep tonight!

New York took an early 1-0 lead last night, but the Phillies came right back and made it 2-1. The Mets opened the floodgates and won 8-2. Now, New York will go for the series sweep tonight against an old friend Zack Wheeler on national television.

Phillies Lineup

The lineup for Sunday Night Baseball. #RingTheBell

📺: @espn
📻: @SportsRadioWIP
📱: https://t.co/vgbMhIN0El pic.twitter.com/c5p625XE6t

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 29, 2022

Chris Bassitt gets the start for the Amazin’s today. Over nine starts and 53.0 innings he has a 3.91 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 1.208 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. He is coming off of his worst start of the year against the Giants, where he allowed eight runs over 4 1/3rd innings. In his last two starts he has allowed 12 runs over 10 2/3 innings. To put that in perspective, he has only allowed 23 runs the entire season.

Bassitt has faced the Phillies once already this year and held them to one run over 5 2/3rd innings via five hits and a walk in Philadelphia. The Phillies have the following career numbers against him:

• Nick Castellanos, 7-17, 3 2B, HR, BB
• Kyle Schwarber, 3-6, 2B, K
• Garrett Stubbs, 0-5
• Alec Bohm, 1-3
• Bryce Harper, 0-3, 2 K
• Rhys Hoskins, 1-3, 2B, K
• Jean Segura, 1-2, HR, BB

Mets Lineup

Sunday Night ⚾️ #LGM

🆚: Philadelphia
💪: @c_bass419
📍: @CitiField
🕕: 7:08 p.m.
📺: ESPN
📻: @wcbs880
🔗: https://t.co/QkcU7UNU3O pic.twitter.com/6lHTSDNHLT

— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2022

Zack Wheeler has pitched eight games and 45 1/3rd innings this year with a 3.38 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 1.147 WHIP and a 118 ERA+. Wheeler is coming off of his first double-digit strikeout game of the season against the Braves where he held them to two runs from eight hits over 6 2/3rd innings while striking out 10.

In general, he’s seen a huge improvement in strikeouts from April to May. In April he struck out 18 batters over four starts. Over four starts in May he has struck out 33 batters. Wheeler has faced the Mets once this season, back on April 12th, where he held the Mets to one run from two hits over 4 2/3rd innings, in a game the Mets eventually won 2-0. The Mets have the following numbers against Wheeler:

• Brandon Nimmo, 8-28, 2 2B, HR, 5 K
• Jeff McNeil, 3-21, BB, 6 K
• Pete Alonso, 7-18, 2B, 3 K
• Dominic Smith, 8-20, 2B, 5 K
• Francisco Lindor, 4-14, 2B, 2 K
• J.D. Davis, 5-13, 2 2B, HR, 5 K
• Eduardo Escobar, 2-10, BB, 3 K
• Starling Marte, 2-10, 2B, K

Games Notes

The New York Mets announced they acquired minor league shortstop JT Riddle from the Reds. He is scheduled to report to Triple-A Syracuse and is not a part of the 40-man roster.

Nick Plummer is slated to make his first career MLB start for the Mets.

The Mets have yet to sweep a series this season. A win tonight would clinch the team’s first sweep of the season. The Mets have only loss two series this season (Seattle and San Francisco). 

Through the team’s first 48 games they own a 31-17 record. There has only been three previous seasons the Mets have posted a better record though their first 48 games: 1986, 1988, and 1972.

Pete Alonso is only the third Met to drive in at least 40 runs before Memorial Day. He tied a team record for the most RBIs in the first 48 games of the season.

Let’s go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Phillies vs Mets, 7:08 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

After a 3-1 series win in Washington, the Mets start their second series of the year with a three-game set in Philadelphia against the Phillies. The bats came alive in the series against the Nationals, and the pitching was as advertised, leading the Mets to their three victories. Even though they faltered in game four, the series was solid for the Mets.

The Mets new acquisitions led the way for the first three games in Washington. Despite an injured hamstring, Max Scherzer pitched well in game two, and Chris Bassitt was electric in his game three start. Starling Marte had three hits and four RBIs in his three games, Mark Canha has a blistering .700/1.469/.700 stat line to start the season, and Eduardo Escobar hit three doubles in 11 at bats. The Mets also got production from players who underachieved last year, with the biggest improvement so far coming from Jeff McNeil, who again looks like the high average contact hitter he was in 2019. Finally, Tylor Megill pitched phenomenally in his first-ever opening day start, taking over for the injured Jacob deGrom.

The Phillies are also coming off a series win. They went two for three against the Athletics in Philly. During the offseason, the Phillies prioritized strengthening their lineup, adding Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos to an already strong group of hitters, including reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper and star catcher J.T. Realmuto. While Schwarber and Castellanos have not been scorching hot at the plate, they both homered for the Phillies in the first series. It can be argued, though, that they have subtracted the same on defense for all the Phillies have added on offense. The Phillies made three errors in their first two games, although the scorer charged two of those to Realmuto, who should be one of the better defensive Phillies this season.

The Phillies and Mets faced less than stellar opponents in their opening series. The Nationals and the Athletics are in rebuilds, and the Athletics have an almost criminally low payroll. It will be interesting to see how the Mets and Phillies fare in their first real challenge of the young season.

Monday, April 11, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Ranger Suárez

(0-0, 0.00 ERA)

A sore knee shortened Taijuan Walker’s final spring training start. But after a 45 pitch bullpen on Friday, Walker pronounced himself ready for his start against the Phillies on Monday. Walker had an excellent first half in 2021, earning his first trip to the All-Star Game with a 2.66 ERA in 94 and 1/3 innings. However, he faltered in the second half, finishing with a 4.47 ERA. Hopefully, we see the Taijuan from the first half in the first game of this series.

Ranger Suarez was excellent for the Phillies last season, going 8-5 with a 1.36 ERA and a 2.72 FIP. Suarez arrived late for spring training this year due to visa issues in Venezuela. He pitched in two spring games for the Phillies for five and two-thirds innings, giving up two hits, including a home run and two earned runs. While the Mets did not have a great lineup against lefties in 2021, they did well against Patrick Corbin on opening day and will hopefully carry that over against Suarez.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022: RHP Tylor Megill (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Stepping in for Jacob deGrom on opening day, Tylor Megill pitched phenomenally for his first start of the season. He hit 99mph at times on the radar gun, which was a first for him, and tossed five scoreless innings. If he can hold down the Phillies lineup the same way he held down the Nationals, look for him to have a great 2022 season.

Zack Wheeler is getting a slightly late start to his 2022 season. He came into spring training a bit behind the other Phillies’ pitchers due to a sore shoulder from his workload last season when he threw a career-high 213 and 1/3 innings. He pitched to a career-low 2.78 ERA and finished second in the Cy Young Award. So for the Mets hitters’ sake, it might be good if Wheeler is a little rusty to start 2022.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022: RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-0, 6.00 ERA)

Max Scherzer pitched six innings for the Mets on Friday against the Nationals. Even though he did not have his best stuff, Scherzer battled and only gave up three runs in his six innings. The offense helped him out, tying the game in the third inning, taking the lead for good in the fifth inning, and adding to that lead in the sixth and ninth innings. If Scherzer’s leg feels better on Wednesday, look out Philly lineup.

Aaron Nola got the opening day nod for the Phillies. He pitched six innings and gave up four runs on four hits, including two home runs. In 2021, Nola posted his worst ERA since 2016. However, Nola has been a better pitcher at home than he has been on the road for the Phillies in his career. His ERA in 86 games at Citizen’s Bank Park is 3.15; in 86 games on the road, his ERA is 4.27. Hopefully, Nola is not up to his usual home pitching against the Mets on Wednesday.

Prediction:

After going 3-1 against the Nationals, the Mets will keep the good times rolling against the Phillies. The Phillies lineup will challenge the pitching, especially the bullpen. But if the Mets keep putting the ball in the play as they did for most of the series against the Nationals, they should be able to take advantage of the Phillies’ weaker defense. These two teams are both trying to compete in 2022,  but if all goes well, the Mets should be able to take the series from the Phillies and win two of the three games.

The post Series Preview: Mets Head To Philly appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Philadelphia Phillies are “open” to trading RHP Zack Wheeler, according to a report from ESPN‘s Buster Olney. Wheeler just signed a five-year, $118 million contract to join the Mets’ NL East rival last offseason.

Wheeler posted a 2.92 ERA and 156 ERA+ in his first season with the Phillies, notching some down-ballot Cy Young votes in the process. Olney said that the Phillies’ financial issues stemming from the lack of fans in the stadium and low number of games played in 2020 are the primary reason why they’re looking to get off Wheeler’s $23.6 million yearly average salary.

The 30-year-old has four years and $96.5 million remaining on his deal.

The Brodie Van Wagenen administration barely made a push to keep the former Met last offseason, with Van Wagenen noting publicly that he did not believe “the projections we have for Wheeler, both short and long-term, didn’t match up with the market.” That was a mistake.

Wheeler has a 3.70 ERA, 1.284 WHIP, and 104 ERA+ in seven-plus seasons in the majors.

The post Report: Phillies “Open” to Trading Zack Wheeler appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good Morning, Mets Fans!

Hope everyone had a safe and healthy Easter!

Latest Mets News 

Jeff McNeil kicked off the MLB The Show League last night. McNeil faced Fernando Tatis Jr.of the Padres, Luke Jackson of The Braves, Lucas Giolito of the White Sox, and Ryne Stanek of the Marlins.

• Lost to Tatis 10-5 in extras.
• Defeated Jackson 6-0.
• Defeated Giolito 5-2.
• Defeated Stanek 3-0.

McNeil’s next matchups are against Jon Duplantier (Diamondbacks), Amir Garrett (Reds), Bo Bichette (Blue Jays), and Lance McCullers Jr.(Astros) on Tuesday at 9 p.m. The current leaderboards can be found here.

Before his 3-1 performance, McNeil had a practice contest against Pete Alonso. “Squirrel” defeated the “Polar Bear” 12-6. McNeil’s games can be accessed via this link.

Forbes ranked the Mets as the sixth most valuable team in the MLB.

CBS Sports ranked Jacob deGrom as the fifth-best player and second-best pitcher in the Major Leagues.

Latest MLB News

Anthony Causi, a sports photographer who worked at the New York Post, passed away from COVID-19 last night. He was 48.

Former MLB reliever Austin Maddox retired.

Latest NL East News 

Zack Wheeler is among the group of players that opposes MLB’s proposed Arizona plan, writes The New York Post.

Latest on MMO

Carl Ardias continued his Shoebox Memories series.

On This Date in Mets History 

1962: The Mets had their first-ever home opener.

Birthdays:  Ricardo Rincon (51), Johnny Stephenson (80)

Let’s Go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: McNeil Kicks Off MLB The Show League appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

An often overlooked, but important date of the off-season baseball calendar is fast approaching. That date is January 11, 2019 and it marks the deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit 2019 salary figures.

The player files what he believes he should be paid in the upcoming season and the team counters with what they think the player should be paid. It is important to note that even after the filing period, both the teams and players can still negotiate a contract of any size.

Over 200 players are arbitration-eligible in 2019 and as of this writing only about 20% have avoided arbitration by settling with their team on a new contract. Interestingly, the World Champion Boston Red Sox have the most players who are eligible for arbitration with 12, followed by the Diamondbacks with 11 with four teams having ten (Astros, Brewers, Dodgers, and Twins).

The Red Sox have 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts arbitration-eligible and it will be interesting to see if the Sox try to negotiates a long-term contract with Betts before his free agency years which begin after the 2020 season.

As for the New York Mets, after Travis d’Arnaud agreed to terms with the team in late December, they are left with six players who are arbitration-eligible. The six names will be listed along with the estimate for their projected arbitration salaries according to MLB Trade Rumors.

Jacob deGrom, RHP – The NL reigning Cy Young award winner, is entering his third year of arbitration and is projected to make $12.9 million. DeGrom earned $7.4 million in 2018.

Zack Wheeler, RHP – The 28-year-old also entering his third year of arbitration and is projected to get a significant raise to $5.3 million from his $1.9 million salary of a year ago.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP – He’s entering his second year of arbitration and is projected to make $5.9 million after earning a little over $2.9 million last year.

Steven Matz, LHP –  Entering his first year of arbitration and is expected to earn $3 million. It is interesting to note that the first four players are all Mets’ pitchers, under team control for now but free agency looms around the corner.

Michael Conforto, OF – He’s entering his first year of arbitration and is projected to see a significant raise to $4.4 million in 2019.

Kevin Plawecki, C -Also in his first year of arbitration, is expected to earn $1.3 million.

The most notable of the above of course is Jacob deGrom. Mike Puma of the NY Post wrote on Tuesday that a long-term contract with deGrom is a team priority, but the Mets have not extended an offer to him as of now.

Puma’s sources further indicate that there were discussions at the recently concluded Winter Meetings between Mets’ COO Jeff Wilpon and deGrom’s new agent, Jeff Berry, but it is still unclear if the talks involved a long-term contract or a possible salary for 2019. Mets’ GM Brodie Van Wagenen, deGrom’s former agent, was not allowed to participate in the talks for fear of conflict of interest.

DeGrom, 30, is under team control for the next two seasons so it certainly behooves him to seek a deal as soon as he can. It is not unreasonable for deGrom to ask for a salary in the Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke area all of whom make over $30 million per year. It will be interesting to see how the contracts of Betts and deGrom play out over the coming days, months or even years and if either (or both) the Red Sox and the Mets decide to opt for long-term deals.

With January 11 just a week away, general managers around baseball will be busy trying to sign their own players and avoid arbitration which can be contentious. Randy Levine, the president of the New York Yankees, still has some harsh words for Dellin Betances following their 2017 hearing.

Over the years, the vast majority of arbitration-eligible players agree to a contract before filing salary figures. For those who do not, arbitration hearings will take place between February 1 and February 20. Some teams, like the Mets use a “file and trial” approach meaning that a team cuts off contract negotiations after filing salary figures. This is meant to put pressure on the player to sign. But as pointed out by the Post, “file and trial” teams are often open to negotiating long-term contracts, so that the player will not necessarily be heading for arbitration.

Whatever happens, it is assured that it will be a long and potentially arduous time for baseball before pitchers and catchers finally report in Florida and Arizona in mid-February.

The post Deadline To Exchange Arbitration Figures is Week Away appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

3 UP

1. Wheels Up

Throughout his Mets career Zack Wheeler has had a continuous Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde routine. This could be from start-to-start, inning-to-inning, or even pitch-to-pitch.

Well, he’s beginning to find some consistency, and he’s pitched at least six innings in four straight starts, which is the first time he’s done that since 2014.

More than that, he was brilliant against the Orioles pitching seven shutout innings allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five. Over his last four starts, Wheeler owns a 2.52 ERA (seven earned runs/25.0 innings) with 24 strikeouts and five walks in that span.

Given his .286 batting average this season, you have to question why he’d ever get lifted for a pinch hitter, especially when he had a game like this going.

2. Bullpen In Great Shape

Prior to the bats going completely silent, the issue with this Mets team had been a heavily taxed and ineffective bullpen. With the Mets finally getting some luck on the health front, the bullpen is once again in great shape.

Noah Syndergaard being on schedule to be activated this weekend allowed the Mets to move Seth Lugo back to the bullpen, and he responded with three scoreless innings.

Anthony Swarzak returned from the disabled list and tossed a scoreless inning against Baltimore in his return. The Mets rolled the dice this offseason and rewarded Swarzak with a two-year deal after a career-best season.

Suddenly, the Mets bullpen looks much better, and it more closely resembles the group who had a terrific start to the season.

3. Plawecki Strong Play

In a series where the Mets did just about nothing, Kevin Plawecki was the lone bright spot going 2-for-7 with a double and a walk.

On the season, Plawecki now has a solid .375 OBP. With his strong play behind the plate and his ability to get on base, he is one of the few Mets who has earned his playing time.

3 DOWN

1. No One Can Hit

The Mets were supposed to get healthy against an Orioles team considered to be the wurst in all of baseball. It never happened as the Mets can’t hit the broad side of a barn right now.

In this brief two games series, Mets pitchers shined brightly, allowing just three runs and they still got swept! The issue is the lack of offense as evidenced by the Mets scoring just one run in the series. This isn’t just one or two players struggling, it’s everyone.

The team has scored just two runs in its last 42.0 innings and were shut out for the fifth time this season, all of them at home.

2. Cabrera Fell Back to Earth

Second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera had an amazing start to the season offensively, playing at an MVP level and helping the team get off to an 11-1 start. In many ways, he was carrying the team offensively but also masking some of the underlying issues facing the team.

Since that time, he’s suffered a few minor injuries, and his play has fallen off a cliff to the point he’s become one of the biggest concerns for the team. Since May 1, Cabrera is hitting just .244/.273/.425 – and as bad as that is – he has been the worst defensive second baseman in the majors with a -11 DRS.

3. The Beltran Treatment

Well, the Mets love affair with Yoenis Cespedes is now officially over.

According to several reports. many in the organization have openly questioned just how hurt Cespedes is and just how motivated he really is to return to the lineup. That’s always an unfair and dangerous game. To compound matters, Cespedes informed the team that he will no longer speak to the media.

Mets brass once played a similar game with Carlos Beltran, publicly questioning the seriousness of a lingering knee injury. Ultimately Beltran ignored the team’s advice and opted to have season-ending knee surgery which helped save his Hall of Fame career.

The Mets pressuring Beltran to play was wrong, and it’s just as wrong with Cespedes. For three straight seasons, the team hesitated to put their star slugger on the DL after suffered a leg or quad injury. Instead of throwing another key player under the bus, maybe they should consider the consequences of their own misguided actions regarding player injuries over the last few years.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Is This Finally Rock Bottom? appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning Mets fans, baseball is back! Though some players have already reported to Port St. Lucie, pitchers and catchers officially report to camp this morning!

Latest Mets News

Laura Albanese of Newsday caught up with Anthony Swarzak who credited Mickey Callaway with helping turn his career around with the Indians. Before Swarzak was sent down, Callaway told him he “needed to train more and bulk up.”

Albanese also spoke with Zack Wheeler who is sporting a Dallas Keuchel-esque beard. Wheeler said he underwent a six month regimen of injections of Forteo to help strengthen his bones.

Pitching coach Dave Eiland talked to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post about how he will handle the pitchers. “We are going to err on the side of caution but you also have to get them ready. There is a fine line there.”

In a Q&A with Steve Serby of the New York Post, Jay Bruce said on Michael Conforto, “Almost no one is Joey Votto, but I think it’s the kind of skill set.”

Bruce’s message to Mets fans this year, “Stick with us. Be patient, and be passionate about it. I look forward to them being on our side this year and them being as passionate as they always are.”

Latest MLB News

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Giants are among teams taking a look at Tim Lincecum. The righties showcase takes place Thursday in Seattle.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that Yu Darvish’s deal with the Cubs includes incentives that will pay him an extra $2 million a year by winning the Cy Young award and $1 million a year for finishing 2-5.

Also on Darvish’s deal, Heyman has said that the righty is said to have a full no trade clause for part of the deal, then a 12-team no trade list.

Latest NL East News

Call to the Pen discusses free agent options for the 2019 Phillies.

Patrick Reddington of SB Nation says that A.J. Cole is the front runner for the Nationals fifth spot in the rotation.

Latest on MMO

Josh Finkelstein says the Mets hopes of playoff contention might rest on the arm of one man.

Finkelstein also wrote about how Jay Bruce wants to be a winner in 2018, and how Zack Wheeler is trying to increase his durability.

Think you know the Mets? Try and guess which uniform numbers have only been worn once.

This Day in Mets History

1992: NBC broadcasts the first episode of “Seinfeld” with guest star Keith Hernandez.

Frank Estrada turns 69, Tim Redding turns 39, Lenny Randle turns 69, Dennis Springer turns 52.

The post Morning Briefing: Hello Baseball, My Old Friend appeared first on Metsmerized Online.