The Chairman of MLB’s Playing Rules Committee goes over the unnecessarily confusing new plate-blocking rules with the staff.
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* The plate-blocking rules are a disaster. How can they have screwed this up so bad? Who is the Chairman of the Playing Rules Committee anyway? (Oops, sorry Sandy!) For baseball’s sake, I really hope it doesn’t become “the topic” during a playoff game. Everyone is confused by the lack of clarity.
* Over the last four home baseball games, the Mets have totaled 15 hits, never exceeding 4 hits in any game. It’s impressive — in a way — that they managed to win two of those contests. Not a lot to cheer for, however.
* I am glad to finally see Terry Collins stretch out Josh Edgin a bit more; I hated to see him reduced to a nearly-useless Scott Rice role just because he’s left-handed. Josh’s L/R splits are not bad at all.
* Eric Campbell is the new Mike Baxter, except that he’s more versatile, and therefore has some value. I guess.
* I wonder if it’s time to extend Murphy’s contract . . . or if the Mets must come to terms with the payroll situation. After all, the Blue Jays traded David Price. Wilmer Flores just turned 23, and Dilson Herrera should be ready in a year. Murphy’s status will be an acid test for the entire organization.
* For Zack Wheeler, the hitters are rarely, if ever, the problem.
* Terry Collins is not equipped to bring a team to the finish line. Nothing in his history indicates that he would be. He was a good transitional guy, but not the jockey you want to ride on Secretariat. Extending his contract at this time is a bad move. Unless, well, you begin to consider the devil we don’t know. Because there’s no way on earth that Sandy picks Wally as his guy.
* Travis d’Arnaud is not a great defensive catcher. It’s a struggle back there, he flounders at times, but I think the defense is acceptable enough. The bat plays.
* Dave Hudgens was really, exceptionally bad at PR. Do I think anything has changed? Not much. The biggest thing is that we’re not hearing about it as much, not as much crowing about “the approach.” And, yes, possibly, there’s been a wee bit more aggressiveness. The worst thing was when Hudgens discovered a stat that indicated when a team faces 150 pitches, they usually win. He got confused about that one, and put the cart before the horse. I am so glad he’s gone. So glad.
* I wanted the Mets to convert deGrom to reliever when he was down in Vegas, since that was obviously his eventual role. Somebody in the system, somewhere, believed in this kid and advocated for him. That guy deserves a raise.
* Speaking of raises, how about the coach who helped Matt den Dekker remake his swing?
* It’s got to be hard, emotionally, and PR-wise, to trade away a competent starting pitcher like Bartolo Colon to a team that is contending for a Wild Card — when, you know, supposedly you are “in the mix” too.
* I hate the phrase, “in the mix.” Somebody please get Terry to stop using it.
* The White Sox’ first-round pick, 21-year-old Carlos Rodon, #3 overall, is currently up at AAA and Robin Ventura is talking about possibly bringing him up in September. The Mets first-round pick, 21-year-old Michael Conforto, #10 overall, is playing low-A ball in Brooklyn. He was called by many to be the most advanced hitter in the draft. Urgency has never been big with this management team. Said Keith Law: “Conforto was the most advanced college bat in the draft class this year. He’s very close to major league ready and should be at least an above-average regular with a higher ceiling if the power exceeds expectations. The Mets should fast-track him if his performance warrants it.”
* Meanwhile, Matt Harvey is aching to play ball. Against all reason and prudence, he desperately wants to take the hill and compete. Boy is Matt ever on the wrong team. A lot of things have been said about Matt, and Jeff’s buddy, Mike Lupica, went after him pretty hard on Sunday. While we might not agree with Matt’s (misguided) intentions, I think they come from the right place. Truly great players want to compete, like wolves want to hunt. Make no mistake. Harvey has the heart of a champion.
* Don’t tell anyone, but I am seriously worried about Juan Lagares’ bat. On another team, maybe it’s not an issue. The glove plays. But unless the Mets get a real SS and a real LF, I’m beginning to have some doubts. On an offense without superstars, there’s a limit to how many weak links a lineup can sustain.
* After watching the Nationals beat up on the Mets yet again, I’ve determined two things: 1) Home runs are good; 2) The way to beat the Mets is simple, just don’t walk anybody.
Maybe they should try bigger bats?
* That said, there’s been a lot of talk lately about the Mets’ lack of power. Gary Cohen goes on about it all the time (and yes, these days he’s my least Mets favorite announcer). To me, I don’t believe that’s the real issue. The Mets need hitters, period; not home runs necessarily. If they hit 10 more HRs this season, the Mets would be 6th in the NL. Consider the ball park they call home. The Mets now stand 13th in the NL in HR; 14th in BA; 14th in SLG; 2nd in BB; and, oddly, have the lowest G/F ratio in the NL. That’s a strange one, I think. Experts widely consider that Citi Field to be a “good” field for a fly ball pitcher. Yet offensively, the Mets are the #1 fly ball team in the NL. That doesn’t make a lot of sense.
