20 Comments

Can someone explain the new obstruction rule (or send a link to an explanation)? I must have missed that one in the offseason. Is it as simple as no base can be blocked? That play in the video being called safe is going to make people insane initially.

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Agreed. WTF was Lindor doing that is now illegal? And what is served by this new rule?

We finally appear to have a catcher who can throw, and last year’s rules aren’t enough? Why even bother having first base. Just send the runner directly to second.

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What is served by this new rule: pumping up offense as much as they can. I mean, please, Lindor executed a perfect tag.

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It was a perfect play. What did he do against the new rule? Bizarre.

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So much more excited this morning than I was yesterday morning. Great news.

If Baty and Vientos have the chops, the at bats will come. If they don’t, they won’t.

I’d also add, if we don’t need Vientos, and he is so good, there d so should be a strong market for him, as prospects are valued so highly.

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Vientos I think goes to Syracuse. You don’t let a 24 yo with potential rot on the bench. He needs to improve his hitting against RHP; he crushes lefties only. And work on defense both 1B and 3B.

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OK, I will give David Stearns full credit on this one! While I am a bit concerned about the age and the potential performance dropoff of JD Martinez There's no argument whatsoever In declaring this deal a great one for the Mets! One year is of course low risk, and with the salary deferrals it should not affect the luxury tax threshold that much. What will be interesting to watch is to see how the signing of JD Martinez affects certain other Mets players. Namely, Brett Beatty and Mark Vientos. Are one or both of them destined to open the season in Syracuse instead of Queens? DJ Stewart has options, so I think he is destined to open the season in Syracuse. What about Choi? Has he done enough to remain on the Mets Opening Day roster? Zach Short? I know these questions will be answered relatively soon since opening day is less than a week away But it is interesting to me how a signing of one player can affect so many other positions on the team. Stay tuned Mets fans! Oh, and yes, Steve, it does add some needed juice to the lineup!

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Thanks Kevan ! Also Good post you did - all great points and questions to be answered in the coming weeks !

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JD is regarded as an elder sage when it comes to hitting. He’ll be an unofficial hitting coach.

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A solid move on wholly unexpected terms. Only one year, the deferred payments, wow.

I feel a little bad for Vientos.

Hate to say this, but the Mets have to consider putting him at 3B in Syracuse to start the season.

The offense added a weapon at a very low price and the team is better today than yesterday.

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I think they should have him play RF in Syracuse. We’ll need someone when Marte goes in the IL.

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They tried him in the outfield last year and it was considered a failure. They pulled the plug. Did they give up too fast? I have no idea.

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He’s a slow runner.

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At this point, kind of worried Marte is too. So there’s that.

If Schwarber can start in LF for a WS contender, then A 25 y/o high end talent prospect who’d like a full time job in the majors really ought to try.

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The Wilpons are somehow involved in the Ohtani debacle, I just know it.

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LOL

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Just curious, will the deferred money accrue interest? Still cannot believe Ohtani is not taking interest on that 700 million contract.

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Cound'nt have said any better then the headline today "Finally, a DH !" It does in fact add some 'juice' to the club and season. IMO it could be, but no one knows, the additional value of "butts in seats" espeically on opening day.

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I think winning and optimism helps with fans.

From a "star power" perspective, I don't think JD is a guy fans come out to see, necessarily.

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Agree winning makes fans come out. However, i wasn't writing about 'star power' in the form of JD. I was simple stating that having a 'real' DH gives the fans some 'optimisim'. Selling seats to a winning team is alot easier then a losing one.

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