Nice nod to Peraza. Defensively, he was huge. The subs kind of faded out at the end, were exposed for their limitations. When all the injuries first hit, I imagined the Mets plummeting to the cellar. They held the line. I've missed McNeil most of all. Nimmo, second.
Agreed. It's impossible to overstate what the subs have accomplished, but as the season moves on, limitations will be exposed. I'm looking forward to having Nimmo's .400 OBP back in the lineup, along with two all-star bats in McNeil and Conforto.
Conforto made one All-Star game in his career but he keeps getting described that way (by Boras, others). I like him, but he's a guy who made the team as a sub one year. It's why I just don't see the 8/$200 number for him. And he can't hit LHP. Of course, he has time to make a strong case for himself this season. I hope he does.
I hear you. I wouldn't have extended Conforto for 8/$200m this offseason b/c the Mets wouldn't be saving anything by locking him up a year early. Let him put up an MVP-like season this year and see if he's worth $200m. I think his AVG may throw people off, but he's a high OBP guy with power and he had a spectacular short season in 2020 (.322/.412 w .927 OPS). Is he worth $200m?
The thing about player value is that it's set by the market. Was Zach Wheeler "worth" $24m/per after putting up a career ERA close to 4.00? The Phillies thought so and so far it seems to be paying off for them.
The Mets will have to make a decision on Conforto and decide if he's worth his asking price, or if we can stomach a homegrown talent hitting 30+HR w .375+OBP somewhere else (like the Bronx).
He's a very good player. An .850 OPS isn't easy to replace. In the old days, without analyzing stats, we used to talk about certain guys as being "winning" players. Pillar would be an example of that, IMO. I'd love for Conforto to show us that aspect of his game this second half of the season. So streaky. God save us from LH batters who roll grounders into the shift. He needs to get more balls in the air.
Note to Gary Cohen: If McNamara had taken Bill Buckner out of the game for defensive purposes like he should have, there is likely no 1986 championship. Martinez's job is to win the game, not to promote Kyle Schwarber's chances of breaking a record. Sentiment doesn't always win games.
Yeah, but then Buckner wouldn't have been on the field for the last out and the celebration ... doh!
You are right, and I think Gary acknowledged that point about trying to win games. Still, if I'm Schwarber, I want to get a shot at 4.
Also, side point, but I've been making it religiously for 35 years so I can't stop now ... the score was tied when that ball went through Buckner's legs. If Mookie beats it out against a healthy 1B, HoJo gets a shot in a tie game with runners on first and third. If not, we have HoJo-Mazilli-Dykstra-Backman to get on base in the 11th for the heart of the lineup.
He should have left him in the game. No question. It's an entertainment business. But also a human activity. Schwarber earned that shot and every fan would have been on their feet. Ludicrous to pull him. Another case of managing to a script and being blind to the moment.
I really disagree. The script is based on percentages and it usually works. Reminds me of Grady Little staying with Pedro in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. No one in the entire world thought Pedro should stay on the mound that night. Not following the script is what creates chaos on the field and fundies going out the window. Win the game first and then let’s marvel at the individual achievements.
Well, you are comparing Game 7 of the WS to a (meaningless) game on June 20th for a team that is very likely going to be selling off their best pitcher in a month. Schwarber stands out in the outfield every day, like Dom Smith. Sure, he's a disaster out there. But this was a MOMENT. "Not following the script creates chaos" strikes me as a massive overstatement. At best, the "plan" is a guideline. You need a smart person reacting in real time to actual events as they play out. IMO.
Sidenote: Years ago the Mets had Duda/Davis at 1B and Sandy seemed unable to make a decision. We saw Duda fumbling around in the OF (he played RF in Santana's perfect game). Fans debated which one was better. Ultimately, the answer was neither. When I look at Pete Alonso, sometimes all I see is Lucas Duda. Maybe less. Other times, he shows more. I've already complained about Smith in LF, so won't repeat myself. Watching Pete, I feel like he throws away more ABs than any Met. I spent a little time with numbers the other day. With an 0-2 count, 19 PAs, he has 15 K and a .056 BA. With a 2-2 count: .043/.093/.139 slash line. And against power, in 60 PA: .115/.217/.250. Which at least supports my eye test that his swing is long and he can't catch up to a good fastball. He just fouls 'em off and swings and misses. I guess he's not alone in that department. He's godawful 2-strike hitter. I think he's a #6 guy in the lineup. He might be Lucas Duda.
It is frustrating to see Pete throw away at-bats with swings at balls out of the strike zone but he doesn’t much protection right now. Hopefully, he’ll soon see more meatballs that he can crush.
Nice nod to Peraza. Defensively, he was huge. The subs kind of faded out at the end, were exposed for their limitations. When all the injuries first hit, I imagined the Mets plummeting to the cellar. They held the line. I've missed McNeil most of all. Nimmo, second.
Agreed. It's impossible to overstate what the subs have accomplished, but as the season moves on, limitations will be exposed. I'm looking forward to having Nimmo's .400 OBP back in the lineup, along with two all-star bats in McNeil and Conforto.
Conforto made one All-Star game in his career but he keeps getting described that way (by Boras, others). I like him, but he's a guy who made the team as a sub one year. It's why I just don't see the 8/$200 number for him. And he can't hit LHP. Of course, he has time to make a strong case for himself this season. I hope he does.
I hear you. I wouldn't have extended Conforto for 8/$200m this offseason b/c the Mets wouldn't be saving anything by locking him up a year early. Let him put up an MVP-like season this year and see if he's worth $200m. I think his AVG may throw people off, but he's a high OBP guy with power and he had a spectacular short season in 2020 (.322/.412 w .927 OPS). Is he worth $200m?
The thing about player value is that it's set by the market. Was Zach Wheeler "worth" $24m/per after putting up a career ERA close to 4.00? The Phillies thought so and so far it seems to be paying off for them.
The Mets will have to make a decision on Conforto and decide if he's worth his asking price, or if we can stomach a homegrown talent hitting 30+HR w .375+OBP somewhere else (like the Bronx).
He's a very good player. An .850 OPS isn't easy to replace. In the old days, without analyzing stats, we used to talk about certain guys as being "winning" players. Pillar would be an example of that, IMO. I'd love for Conforto to show us that aspect of his game this second half of the season. So streaky. God save us from LH batters who roll grounders into the shift. He needs to get more balls in the air.
Note to Gary Cohen: If McNamara had taken Bill Buckner out of the game for defensive purposes like he should have, there is likely no 1986 championship. Martinez's job is to win the game, not to promote Kyle Schwarber's chances of breaking a record. Sentiment doesn't always win games.
Yeah, but then Buckner wouldn't have been on the field for the last out and the celebration ... doh!
You are right, and I think Gary acknowledged that point about trying to win games. Still, if I'm Schwarber, I want to get a shot at 4.
Also, side point, but I've been making it religiously for 35 years so I can't stop now ... the score was tied when that ball went through Buckner's legs. If Mookie beats it out against a healthy 1B, HoJo gets a shot in a tie game with runners on first and third. If not, we have HoJo-Mazilli-Dykstra-Backman to get on base in the 11th for the heart of the lineup.
Maybe…but maybe the game stays tied if Buckner had been lifted?
He should have left him in the game. No question. It's an entertainment business. But also a human activity. Schwarber earned that shot and every fan would have been on their feet. Ludicrous to pull him. Another case of managing to a script and being blind to the moment.
I really disagree. The script is based on percentages and it usually works. Reminds me of Grady Little staying with Pedro in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. No one in the entire world thought Pedro should stay on the mound that night. Not following the script is what creates chaos on the field and fundies going out the window. Win the game first and then let’s marvel at the individual achievements.
Well, you are comparing Game 7 of the WS to a (meaningless) game on June 20th for a team that is very likely going to be selling off their best pitcher in a month. Schwarber stands out in the outfield every day, like Dom Smith. Sure, he's a disaster out there. But this was a MOMENT. "Not following the script creates chaos" strikes me as a massive overstatement. At best, the "plan" is a guideline. You need a smart person reacting in real time to actual events as they play out. IMO.
Point taken.
Sidenote: Years ago the Mets had Duda/Davis at 1B and Sandy seemed unable to make a decision. We saw Duda fumbling around in the OF (he played RF in Santana's perfect game). Fans debated which one was better. Ultimately, the answer was neither. When I look at Pete Alonso, sometimes all I see is Lucas Duda. Maybe less. Other times, he shows more. I've already complained about Smith in LF, so won't repeat myself. Watching Pete, I feel like he throws away more ABs than any Met. I spent a little time with numbers the other day. With an 0-2 count, 19 PAs, he has 15 K and a .056 BA. With a 2-2 count: .043/.093/.139 slash line. And against power, in 60 PA: .115/.217/.250. Which at least supports my eye test that his swing is long and he can't catch up to a good fastball. He just fouls 'em off and swings and misses. I guess he's not alone in that department. He's godawful 2-strike hitter. I think he's a #6 guy in the lineup. He might be Lucas Duda.
It is frustrating to see Pete throw away at-bats with swings at balls out of the strike zone but he doesn’t much protection right now. Hopefully, he’ll soon see more meatballs that he can crush.