Wilmer is Done

[G-Fafif]

Wilmer Flores is out for the season with early onset arthritis in both knees.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That doesn't sound good. Sounds like something that could affect him for years to come.

[G-Fafif]

Speculation has already arisen regarding the possibility that he'll be non-tendered in the offseason. Ouch.

[Ceetar]

he uh, probably already should've been on the non-tender block this offseason. *ducks*

[Guest d'Kong76]

One of my favorites, 2018 has sucked donkey turd...

[smg58]

He would have gotten over $5M from an arbiter, so non-tendering him was a real possibility anyway.

While the arthritis might explain his nosedive in production over the last month, I'm really not sure there is a remedy for this.

[Frayed Knot]

Hope this won't affect his speed.

[Edgy MD]

I would tend to think that it's already been a big part of his speed issues.

[Ceetar]

his speed has been pretty steady at 25.57sh ft/s the last four years actually. Good for about 500th in the league. Only Frazier, Bruce (he's usually a half mph faster, but plantar issues this season), and the three back-up non-Plawecki catchers are slower.

Rosario is 21st fastest in the league fwiw.

[seawolf17]

If this is it -- and yes, because this is the kind of shit that happens to the Mets -- then that sucks. He's absolutely on my all-time 25-man roster.

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Hope this won't affect his speed.

You can pull your tongue out of your cheek. We got it.
LOL! (literally)

Later

[Centerfield]

I guess it depends on severity. "Early onset arthritis, done for the year" sounds serious. But Mickey's and Wilmer's comments sound like it's not that big of a deal. But like smg said, he was a non-tender candidate even before this. Maybe the only mitigating factor is that his two most likely replacements (TJ Rivera and Gavin Cecchini) were nowhere to be seen this year.

And non-tender doesn't necessarily mean he's gone right? We can sign him for less?

But man, this sucks. Absolutely love Wilmer Flores. It would be terrible if his Mets career just fizzled like that.

[Fman99]

Centerfield wrote: I guess it depends on severity. "Early onset arthritis, done for the year" sounds serious. But Mickey's and Wilmer's comments sound like it's not that big of a deal. But like smg said, he was a non-tender candidate even before this. Maybe the only mitigating factor is that his two most likely replacements (TJ Rivera and Gavin Cecchini) were nowhere to be seen this year. And non-tender doesn't necessarily mean he's gone right? We can sign him for less? But man, this sucks. Absolutely love Wilmer Flores. It would be terrible if his Mets career just fizzled like that.

I have psoriatic arthritis and I respond well to medications for it. I've run 14 marathons since my diagnosis. I don't think that it's necessarily a career-ender. I do wonder what kind of role, if any, he can carve out on this roster for 2019.

[smg58]

We can sign him for less if we feel so inclined. But I'm not sure what his role is if we'll have a right-handed first baseman and he's no less of a question mark going forward than Cecchini and Rivera are. I don't think the outfield is a viable option if his running ability is compromised (and was low to begin with).

[Edgy MD]

I think if he comes back, his role would be:

[list:3m8uvm0i][*:3m8uvm0i]Righthanded firstbaseman at the start of the season;[/*:m:3m8uvm0i]
[*:3m8uvm0i]Backup at second and/or third;[/*:m:3m8uvm0i]
[*:3m8uvm0i]Fill-in at first, second, and third in case of injury;[/*:m:3m8uvm0i]
[*:3m8uvm0i]Pinch hitter;[/*:m:3m8uvm0i]
[*:3m8uvm0i]Guy who hits the DL himself twice every season; and[/*:m:3m8uvm0i]
[*:3m8uvm0i]Nice guy with a sweet smile who gives a good interview and remains a bachelor.[/*:m:3m8uvm0i][/list:u:3m8uvm0i]

[Ceetar]

- excuse for beat guys to reference Friends.

[Centerfield]

*Designated Walkoff HR Hitter

[ashie62]

Early arthritis is a condition the only gets worse over time