Noah's Arb (and other arb cases)

[Frayed Knot]

Mets have avoided an arbitration hearing with Noah Syndergaard and agreed on a 2018 salary of $2.9 mil

They also struck deals with Matt Harvey ($5.6 mil), Jacob deGrom ($7.4), Jeurys Familia ($7.9), AJ Ramos ($9.25), Hansel Robles (900 K), Travis d'Arnaud ($3.4) and Wilmer Flores ($3.4)
They are, barring a last minute settlement, seem likely to be headed to a hearing with Zack Wheeler to determine an amount of either $1.5 or $1.9 million

[smg58]

Given that there are better relievers than Ramos still on the market, that trade looks bad right now.

On edit: the Reed signing makes trading for Ramos look even worse.

[Centerfield]

Agreed. And that salary was why Ramos was available.

Would much rather have Mike Minor or Addison Reed even with the extra years of commitment.

Ramos walks way too many guys.

[Edgy MD]

You also get to keep Merandy Gonzalez and Jorge Céspedes. That's not nothing.

Part of acquiring Ramos seemed to be about driving up Reed's value at the deadline and then having an asset that would last into the next season. And I guess not having to embarrassingly try to close out games down the stretch last year with Chasen Bradford or Chris Flexen or Kevin McGowan or somebody might have fed into it.

His fate and Reed's seem tied to one another.

[Centerfield]

And something that doesn’t really get discussed is that we really need a quality lefty in this pen.

Blevins can’t pitch every day. And the fact that we tried that makes him a great candidate to break down this year.

[Ceetar]

I can't get too worked up over this reliever over that reliever. so fungible. I mean, Reed was their best reliever for a stretch but he might not be going forward.

as for the second lefty, that's a popular spring topic for championship level teams, but they'll find someone. Might even be Matz as CAllaway has suggested a starter could work out of the pen. Otherwise, Smoker? I mean, the Mets are a little tight on 40 man space and have almost no lefty pitchers on the 40 man, so it is something to keep an eye on

[Edgy MD]

Kyle Regnault flew throught minors last year, kicking ass in St. Lucie, Bingo, and Las Vegas as the year progressed. I bet he gets a spring invite.

[smg58]

Regnault's walk rate is a little high, but you have to like that he keeps the ball in the park. And he held his own in the unfriendly confines of Las Vegas. I don't see any reason not to give him a look, as I expect the competition for the back three spots to be wide open.

PJ Conlon finished the year at Binghamton pitching out of the pen. I wouldn't expect him to get a long look this spring, but he's a viable long-term option.

[Edgy MD]

I tend to think most lefty specialists go a little high in the walk rate. When you come on to face a middle-of-the-order hitter with a tying or winning run on base, it's often better that he gets away from you via a walk than a hit.

It's certainly less than ideal, as it makes the crisis thicker, but the runner doesn't score and you can still get the next guy.

Look at Tim Byrdak. Modestly effective LOOGy pitcher with the Mets, while walking a whopping 4.8 guys per nine.

Anyhow, I'm just giving Regnault as an example of how it's often best to seek bonuses like a second effective lefty by crowdsourcing. I'm not married to him or nothin'.

[Ceetar]

also the idea that if the lineup goes LRL you might stay in to face the righty though intentionally nibble. Though I don't know if that applies in the minors, or if Regnault is even lefty specialist atm.

He could certainly get a look. ground ball guy with few home runs. get a 2B that can make plays with Rosario and he could certainly shine.