Spinal Stenosis

[Edgy MD]

Diagnosis on David Wright. A narrowing of the spinal column. So says Anthony DiComo. It's a serious but treatable condition, but it's what forced Lenny Dykstra from the game at 35 (as opposed to chronic gambling and rampant drug and alcohol abuse).

[Edgy MD]

[ashie62]

Add this condition to a prior broken back.

The guy is a warrior. Hoping he can avoid surgery.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Dianosis on David Wright. A narrowing of the spinal column. So says Anthony DiComo. It's a serious but treatable condition, but it's what forced Lenny Dykstra from the game at 35 (as opposed to chronic gambling and rampant drug and alcohol abuse).

medically, 20 years ago is a long time.

Seems like there are various degrees to this and it's impossible to know how bad it is at this stage.

[Guest d'Kong76]

He'll be back good as new after the all-star break.

[dgwphotography]

d'Kong76 wrote: He'll be back good as new after the all-star break.

[Lefty Specialist]

Dillon Gee for a serviceable third baseman. Do it, Omar.

David Wright's injuries are like Russian nesting dolls. First it's the hammy, then a sore back, then spinal stenosis. Can't wait to see what the next doll is.

[Edgy MD]

I'm strangely thinking of Zach Lutz. He seemingly spent 2 1/2 years as Wright's insurance policy, and that coincided with an island of healthy in the sea of Wright's career. He gives up and takes off for Asia, and Wright has scarcely been 100% since.

[Benjamin Grimm]

How about Flores to third, Reynolds to short?

[TransMonk]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: How about Flores to third, Reynolds to short?

This was my first thought. We have an infield full of thirdbasemen...why not try to find options at SS?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Josh was talking about the possibility of trading for a guy like Ben Zobrist. He's rehabbing a knee now but might come at the right price.

[Edgy MD]

But man, bringing in another damaged guy seems to be leaving too much to hope.

[Gwreck]

As opposed to hoping that internal options will start becoming productive? That seems to me to also be leaving too much to hope.

[Edgy MD]

I don't think that represents the full range of choices.

[Gwreck]

I didn't see anyone suggest that it did.

I also see as options: acquire healthy outside talent; promoting from within and giving player(s) in the long-term plans some major-league experience; and of course, complacency/acceptance of the current talent level.

[Edgy MD]

Well, if you didn't mean to suggest an either/or choice exists, you didn't. It read that way to me.

[ashie62]

Casey McGehee for now.

[Edgy MD]

McGehee DFA'd? That's an alternative, if they eat some o' that.

[Frayed Knot]

McGehee in 2015: 110 ABs, 22 Hits, 24 Ks, [u:15upfd8d]12 GiDP[/u:15upfd8d]
That's nearly 1/4 of his ABs that don't result in contract and right about 1 in every 7 contacts that results in a DP ... he'll fit right in!

[Edgy MD]

Sure, he's been terrible. That's why he's DFA'd.

But the question is whether he's worth a chance (and the money, of course) to see if he can outplay Campbell. I don't know. But I'd guess it's an open question

I always thought the guy was a meathead myself. John Buck without the catcher's gear. But circumstances being what they are certainly urges me to keep an open mind.

[ashie62]

Casey is a temporary fix, and convenient.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I was thinking of him on the Rick Ankiel plan. Easy come, easy go, during a roster pinch.

That is, of course, assuming he is, in fact, easy come.

[TransMonk]

During his time in Milwaukee he was a fan favorite for being a "gamer". He had a good year last season in Miami, but has been up and down offensively over his career.

I'm guessing the sticking point would be salary as he's due the remainder of a $4.8M salary for 2015...that seems a little rich for Sandy's blood, even if David needs to miss a major amount of time. His poor showing so far this season makes it riskier. It should be interesting to see if he clears waivers. I'm not sure off the top of my head who may be interested at that price.

[Ceetar]

McGheee? I wouldn't pay him a dime. I worry about Rick Ankiel types. You bring a guy in and you're almost committing to at least trying him a bunch. Ankiel helped us lose games, I have little doubt this guy would too.

intrigued by the Zobrist bit though, since you could always move him to SS, or elsewhere, as guys get healthy. What would it take? might be Matz right?

[ashie62]

I like the Zobrist idea, I'm not sure Tampa Bay would. Can't hurt to ask.

McGehee was an all-star recently. He couldn't possibly cost much. Gotta do something to replace David, right?

[Frayed Knot]

intrigued by the Zobrist bit though, since you could always move him to SS, or elsewhere, as guys get healthy. What would it take? might be Matz right?

I like the Zobrist idea, I'm not sure Tampa Bay would. Can't hurt to ask.

Anyone who trades Matz for Ben Zobrist should be horsewhipped on the spot.

Look, Zobrist has been a nice player, one known primarily for his versatility (enhanced by Joe Maddon's willingness to use him as such) as he not only played at but started games at every position except P & C over his now 10 year career. But he's also a 34 y/o (or will be as of tomorrow to be exact) dealing with a knee injury whose only truly top-notch offensive year was back in 2009.
That doesn't mean he shouldn't be looked at, but at this point he's essentially a super-utility guy who you'd be getting for (at best) 100+ games. I know things have been rough here lately but let's not start looking at outside help as knights in shining armor riding in to save us.
btw, Zobrist is in Oakland these days as Tampa dealt him over the winter along with Yunel Escobar (a real SS) for the immortal John Jaso plus two (not highly rated) minor leaguers in A-ball.

[Ceetar]

I'm not suggesting the Mets should necessarily deal Matz, i'm just theorizing on the price for an above average hitter for a long time who can play many positions and it's still May. Obviously it depends on Billy Beane too.

Maybe Matz is too close to the majors, but it's probably right around what the As ask for.

[Edgy MD]

Then later, gator.

The Mets have two super utility men in Murphy and Flores. They're not as dear as all that.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Zobrist is with Oakland, not TB. Considering their prospects this season a 34 year old guy isn't vital for them.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: I'm not suggesting the Mets should necessarily deal Matz, i'm just theorizing on the price for an above average hitter for a long time who can play many positions and it's still May. Obviously it depends on Billy Beane too. Maybe Matz is too close to the majors, but it's probably right around what the As ask for.

And what they'd promptly get hung up on for.
Again, Zobrist was just traded and it was with a legit ML SS and what Tampa got back was a 30 y/o part-time Catcher/DH plus Oakland's recent (2012) 20th & 34th round drafts picks* neither of whom had passed A-ball. And that was all before Zobrist tore his knee and when he still had a full season left as opposed to < 3/4 of one. He's essentially a more versatile version of Murphy right down to them both being short-term rentals and that neither one of them is bringing back an almost ripe, top ten LHP prospect cuz, if they could, they would have been traded last week along with whatever else the trading team wanted.





* one of which is oddly named Boog Powell. Now how does a kid named Herschel born in California in the '90s acquire the nickname 'Boog', especially one that's listed at all of 5' 10" - 185?
If I were the original Boog I'd sue.