Man there is a lot in here to comment on haha. Very fulsome piece this morning! I'll address the one piece that I suspect no one else will because I laughed when I heard him say it last night. When Buck managed the Orioles he said "I like our guys" before the 2014 season. The Orioles then printed a t-shirt with that quote and a list of all of the guys on the roster at that time and made it a giveaway. I have had that shirt since and in fact wore it last night when I took my kids to the pool. Anyway, as soon as I heard him say it last night I texted my family who are Orioles fans to let him know that he's repurposing the line in NY AND that I want the Mets to create a similar shirt so I can update my collection. However, I want to make sure he didn't use the same exact line prior to the 2018 season as well...
Good to see guys who have been struggling contributing. The good thing about the catcher position is that we don't need massive improvements from them in order to get what we need from that spot in the lineup. I don't expect McCann to hit like it's 2020 but I also don't expect him to hit .170 all season. The injury he suffered really saps your power; hopefully he's coming out of it now as opposed to having to wait until 2023. I don't think the Mets are making any moves at catcher; DH is where they will likely focus their attention. In the meantime, it's good to see JD and Dom get some big hits.
Big weekend ahead (aren't they all); get at least 2 of 3 going into Atlanta. LGM
Great story about the Buck quote, Peter! Thanks for sharing it.
Agreed about the catcher production. Just having him be something other than an automatic out, Dayenu.
Hope Dom and JD produce enough to make them worth something in trade value, TBH. We need a more reliable DH if we are going to take it all the way this season. I think Bell is the guy, but I’d be thrilled with Mancini, Benintendi, or Contreras. And we could sign any of them for continued DH and positional flexibility too, so I don’t think they are rentals: I’d give up a prospect (just not Alvarez).
I am in the Mancini camp. Bell is interesting -- just a bit worried about cost and an overpay.
I also like Drury a lot. Mets missed on that one. GM change, some internal chaos, and perhaps having Cano on the roster didn't help. I especially like that Drury can give you some time in the infield or outfield if needed. Should be relatively cheap and the Reds almost have to move him; he'll be a free agent after the season.
I also really like Robertson, the Cubs closer. He'd help.
All good ideas. A bit frustrating if they have to give up anyone for Drury, since we had him and let him walk away. But oh well. Is what it is. He’s got a bit of clutch in him.
Why do you think the cost for Bell would be more than Mancini?
Robertson would be a great addition. If we were able to get Javy Baez and Trevor Williams for an injured first round pick, it seems like we should be able to get Contreras and Robertson for a prospect that isn’t Alvarez. I’m my opinion, that’s a good deal. Contreras could be signed to ultimately share catching and DH duties with Alvarez. That would be a solid catching core for the next several years.
Yeah, I loved Buck's answer. It was perfect for a manager and for any other player in the clubhouse. Let others take care of that stuff. And, of course, privately I'm sure Buck expresses his opinions.
This is a great one. Coming off a great night I might have more positivity than usual, but the insight about Bassit, the piece about Keith from NYP, and the piece about JD are all gems.
On Davis, another commenter earlier mentioned something that still bothers me. JD’s comments here answer part of it, but consider:
As a fan watching most games, it seems that JD has one, glaring weakness which could be devastating in the playoffs. He is soooo often beaten by high (often in strike zone) fastballs (many not all that fast.). His success vs. other pitches and mistakes will be much harder to reproduce when facing only the best pitching when everyone can see him looking like a minor leaguer on a specific kind of pitch. Am I too harsh? Does he have a point about needing to see more of these for success? I’m willing to be convinced. But seeing him hit OTHER pitches over time is an argument for him being a major leaguer, but not an argument for being a DH on a championship contender. I hope he proves me wrong.
A quibble: when a guy has a series of fortunate hits, we should acknowledge that rather than describe it as “getting hot.” Marte (an all-star) having a couple bloopers and a seeing eye hit is great, but let’s not exaggerate such luck. JD’s double was pretty lucky last night, and his single was an out of a yard either direction.
More on why you seem less optimistic on Dom vs. JD?
You're right, JD's primary flaw is similar to Bellinger in that the hole in his swing and strike zone has been obvious since 2019 and he's not adjusted to pitchers figuring it out since 2019. He's also shown to be 1 dimensional with no real fielding skills which is a bummer. I don't think he'd have been in the organization on OD if there was no universal DH. Recently JD, unlike Dom, had a run here where he was THE DH and no platooning pressures or lack of repetition and he didn't do so well with it. Your arguments for JD are the same I have (with admitted rose colored glasses) for Dom. Ultimately both could benefit from being traded to a team that will play them more to improve their development and establish what a regular career in MLB is for them. If they stay on the roster post deadline, JD is someone I see going on and off the postseason roster depending on opponent's pitching rotation.
Dom has better odds of being a regular major leaguer over the next 5 years. He plays a position. JD will never be able to field a position and he’s not a good enough hitter to be a DH. His comments after last nights game were silly excuses for his futility this season: his injury last year, limiting him to (only) 220 ABs last year, caused him to be less familiar with the pitchers, so he’s chasing more. Come on! At least Dom has blamed his shoulder effecting his swing last year, and has recently acknowledged that he has made a change to his stance and it is helping.
JD had a great game last night, but it’s not because he was familiar enough with the pitcher. He just had a good game. Unless he figures it out and becomes a .300 hitter or a 25 HR hitter, what team is going to want him? He will most likely be DFA’d and will bounce around for about 3-4 years and then retire. And that’s fine. It’s a nice enough career.
JD's line was fabulous, 3-4 w/ 5 RBI. But when you look at the ABs, he got two rollers through the infield and a strikeout. I'm sure he's had 0-4 games when he's hit the ball better. The HR, of course, was well struck. Against a RHP. I'm a big fan of Buck, but he's been rigid in the lefty/righty platoon with Dom and JD, and I don't agree with that.
Wow that Bassitt COVID quote is insanely disappointing. I really hope someone sat him down and spoke to him about why COVID is not the same as a cold or other seemingly-similar maladies and why we isolate when infected even if asymptomatic. The world is bigger than a single person, Chris.
As Cahna has mentioned shifting from the A's clubhouse to ours...Professional Baseball in America is an overwhelmingly socially and politically Conservative arena. The Mets never reached the threshold to take masks off last year. It's a real thing. I can't understand it...maybe if I make more money than some country's GDP playing a game I can become that selfish?
Players who have to go to Toronto 4x a year in the AL East aren't getting shots and forgoing game checks that are 5x my annual salary rather than get vaccinated. Even with all the stuff that happened with BLM summer 2020, it was only really a few teams that did anything meaningful or sustainable. Most players wear the shirts in BP when there are no fans and that's it for 'long term support of BLM'. We've stopped talking about the Players Alliance. There's a lot to do, and I'm sure Bassitt speaks for many. I'm just glad there's no Kyrie of MLB. Imagine Harper or Trout or Scherzer sitting out over this!
I suspect he has some regrets over his choice to make these inarticulate comments. I think they are more reflective of a muddled thinking process, fueled by frustration and emotion, than by a negative attitude, ignorance, or Covid denialism. We all need to step back and acknowledge that the situation is still not clear with things changing day by day, we are (mostly) all trying to do the right thing (note: he DID do the right thing) and it is not fair to judge someone for a spur of the moment answer to a question from a locker room reporter. Catch any of us at the wrong time and we might verbalize a thought that comes to mind that we would prefer not to have said. Most of us don’t find it on twitter and headlines within minutes.
JD's hit was cool, his emotion was consistent with 1st career GS, but McCann looked like he was floating going around the bases...the pressure of 'get a big hit/Mets catchers suck bring up Alvarez' and all the 'McCant' and 'McDouble-play' crap he gets on Mets Twitter and on formal chat forums has to be eating at him in year 2. I can't wait to see the reaction to Dom's first homer, and I really hope McCann keeps it going.
wtf Chris Bassitt? Testing and reporting is not your call and threatening not to report a positive test affects the entire organization, not just you. Such irresponsible comments that lack any logic at all. Hoping JD and Dom are being showcased and good things happen as a result. I am fine with whatever McCann contributes at the plate but I really do like the way he handles his job behind the plate. If he could hit between .225-.250, I'm going to start calling him Jerry Grote. I know Steve Cohen covets the Dodgers but maybe he should covet Atlanta's pitching scouts. Year after year they come up with pitchers that are top tier. Still loving Buck showing love to his players.
McCann really has had a rough season. A short ST, some struggle, some slight progress, the injury, and now trying to come back again. He's been brutally bad and I'm eager to see Alvarez on the roster (before Sept 1, maybe a lot before Sept 1), but I think there's reason to hope he'll be a somewhat more productive hitter in the second half.
Man there is a lot in here to comment on haha. Very fulsome piece this morning! I'll address the one piece that I suspect no one else will because I laughed when I heard him say it last night. When Buck managed the Orioles he said "I like our guys" before the 2014 season. The Orioles then printed a t-shirt with that quote and a list of all of the guys on the roster at that time and made it a giveaway. I have had that shirt since and in fact wore it last night when I took my kids to the pool. Anyway, as soon as I heard him say it last night I texted my family who are Orioles fans to let him know that he's repurposing the line in NY AND that I want the Mets to create a similar shirt so I can update my collection. However, I want to make sure he didn't use the same exact line prior to the 2018 season as well...
Good to see guys who have been struggling contributing. The good thing about the catcher position is that we don't need massive improvements from them in order to get what we need from that spot in the lineup. I don't expect McCann to hit like it's 2020 but I also don't expect him to hit .170 all season. The injury he suffered really saps your power; hopefully he's coming out of it now as opposed to having to wait until 2023. I don't think the Mets are making any moves at catcher; DH is where they will likely focus their attention. In the meantime, it's good to see JD and Dom get some big hits.
Big weekend ahead (aren't they all); get at least 2 of 3 going into Atlanta. LGM
Great story about the Buck quote, Peter! Thanks for sharing it.
Agreed about the catcher production. Just having him be something other than an automatic out, Dayenu.
Hope Dom and JD produce enough to make them worth something in trade value, TBH. We need a more reliable DH if we are going to take it all the way this season. I think Bell is the guy, but I’d be thrilled with Mancini, Benintendi, or Contreras. And we could sign any of them for continued DH and positional flexibility too, so I don’t think they are rentals: I’d give up a prospect (just not Alvarez).
I am in the Mancini camp. Bell is interesting -- just a bit worried about cost and an overpay.
I also like Drury a lot. Mets missed on that one. GM change, some internal chaos, and perhaps having Cano on the roster didn't help. I especially like that Drury can give you some time in the infield or outfield if needed. Should be relatively cheap and the Reds almost have to move him; he'll be a free agent after the season.
I also really like Robertson, the Cubs closer. He'd help.
All good ideas. A bit frustrating if they have to give up anyone for Drury, since we had him and let him walk away. But oh well. Is what it is. He’s got a bit of clutch in him.
Why do you think the cost for Bell would be more than Mancini?
Robertson would be a great addition. If we were able to get Javy Baez and Trevor Williams for an injured first round pick, it seems like we should be able to get Contreras and Robertson for a prospect that isn’t Alvarez. I’m my opinion, that’s a good deal. Contreras could be signed to ultimately share catching and DH duties with Alvarez. That would be a solid catching core for the next several years.
Yeah, I loved Buck's answer. It was perfect for a manager and for any other player in the clubhouse. Let others take care of that stuff. And, of course, privately I'm sure Buck expresses his opinions.
....following the 24 extended rule .....
🤬
This is a great one. Coming off a great night I might have more positivity than usual, but the insight about Bassit, the piece about Keith from NYP, and the piece about JD are all gems.
On Davis, another commenter earlier mentioned something that still bothers me. JD’s comments here answer part of it, but consider:
As a fan watching most games, it seems that JD has one, glaring weakness which could be devastating in the playoffs. He is soooo often beaten by high (often in strike zone) fastballs (many not all that fast.). His success vs. other pitches and mistakes will be much harder to reproduce when facing only the best pitching when everyone can see him looking like a minor leaguer on a specific kind of pitch. Am I too harsh? Does he have a point about needing to see more of these for success? I’m willing to be convinced. But seeing him hit OTHER pitches over time is an argument for him being a major leaguer, but not an argument for being a DH on a championship contender. I hope he proves me wrong.
A quibble: when a guy has a series of fortunate hits, we should acknowledge that rather than describe it as “getting hot.” Marte (an all-star) having a couple bloopers and a seeing eye hit is great, but let’s not exaggerate such luck. JD’s double was pretty lucky last night, and his single was an out of a yard either direction.
More on why you seem less optimistic on Dom vs. JD?
Thanks for great stuff!
Kevin
You're right, JD's primary flaw is similar to Bellinger in that the hole in his swing and strike zone has been obvious since 2019 and he's not adjusted to pitchers figuring it out since 2019. He's also shown to be 1 dimensional with no real fielding skills which is a bummer. I don't think he'd have been in the organization on OD if there was no universal DH. Recently JD, unlike Dom, had a run here where he was THE DH and no platooning pressures or lack of repetition and he didn't do so well with it. Your arguments for JD are the same I have (with admitted rose colored glasses) for Dom. Ultimately both could benefit from being traded to a team that will play them more to improve their development and establish what a regular career in MLB is for them. If they stay on the roster post deadline, JD is someone I see going on and off the postseason roster depending on opponent's pitching rotation.
Dom has better odds of being a regular major leaguer over the next 5 years. He plays a position. JD will never be able to field a position and he’s not a good enough hitter to be a DH. His comments after last nights game were silly excuses for his futility this season: his injury last year, limiting him to (only) 220 ABs last year, caused him to be less familiar with the pitchers, so he’s chasing more. Come on! At least Dom has blamed his shoulder effecting his swing last year, and has recently acknowledged that he has made a change to his stance and it is helping.
JD had a great game last night, but it’s not because he was familiar enough with the pitcher. He just had a good game. Unless he figures it out and becomes a .300 hitter or a 25 HR hitter, what team is going to want him? He will most likely be DFA’d and will bounce around for about 3-4 years and then retire. And that’s fine. It’s a nice enough career.
Agreed on JD. Everyone has a good game. He’s shown enough long term to prove he’s not the answer.
JD's line was fabulous, 3-4 w/ 5 RBI. But when you look at the ABs, he got two rollers through the infield and a strikeout. I'm sure he's had 0-4 games when he's hit the ball better. The HR, of course, was well struck. Against a RHP. I'm a big fan of Buck, but he's been rigid in the lefty/righty platoon with Dom and JD, and I don't agree with that.
Wow that Bassitt COVID quote is insanely disappointing. I really hope someone sat him down and spoke to him about why COVID is not the same as a cold or other seemingly-similar maladies and why we isolate when infected even if asymptomatic. The world is bigger than a single person, Chris.
As Cahna has mentioned shifting from the A's clubhouse to ours...Professional Baseball in America is an overwhelmingly socially and politically Conservative arena. The Mets never reached the threshold to take masks off last year. It's a real thing. I can't understand it...maybe if I make more money than some country's GDP playing a game I can become that selfish?
Players who have to go to Toronto 4x a year in the AL East aren't getting shots and forgoing game checks that are 5x my annual salary rather than get vaccinated. Even with all the stuff that happened with BLM summer 2020, it was only really a few teams that did anything meaningful or sustainable. Most players wear the shirts in BP when there are no fans and that's it for 'long term support of BLM'. We've stopped talking about the Players Alliance. There's a lot to do, and I'm sure Bassitt speaks for many. I'm just glad there's no Kyrie of MLB. Imagine Harper or Trout or Scherzer sitting out over this!
yes to all
I suspect he has some regrets over his choice to make these inarticulate comments. I think they are more reflective of a muddled thinking process, fueled by frustration and emotion, than by a negative attitude, ignorance, or Covid denialism. We all need to step back and acknowledge that the situation is still not clear with things changing day by day, we are (mostly) all trying to do the right thing (note: he DID do the right thing) and it is not fair to judge someone for a spur of the moment answer to a question from a locker room reporter. Catch any of us at the wrong time and we might verbalize a thought that comes to mind that we would prefer not to have said. Most of us don’t find it on twitter and headlines within minutes.
JD's hit was cool, his emotion was consistent with 1st career GS, but McCann looked like he was floating going around the bases...the pressure of 'get a big hit/Mets catchers suck bring up Alvarez' and all the 'McCant' and 'McDouble-play' crap he gets on Mets Twitter and on formal chat forums has to be eating at him in year 2. I can't wait to see the reaction to Dom's first homer, and I really hope McCann keeps it going.
wtf Chris Bassitt? Testing and reporting is not your call and threatening not to report a positive test affects the entire organization, not just you. Such irresponsible comments that lack any logic at all. Hoping JD and Dom are being showcased and good things happen as a result. I am fine with whatever McCann contributes at the plate but I really do like the way he handles his job behind the plate. If he could hit between .225-.250, I'm going to start calling him Jerry Grote. I know Steve Cohen covets the Dodgers but maybe he should covet Atlanta's pitching scouts. Year after year they come up with pitchers that are top tier. Still loving Buck showing love to his players.
McCann really has had a rough season. A short ST, some struggle, some slight progress, the injury, and now trying to come back again. He's been brutally bad and I'm eager to see Alvarez on the roster (before Sept 1, maybe a lot before Sept 1), but I think there's reason to hope he'll be a somewhat more productive hitter in the second half.