Pick 25

[Edgy MD]

The irony is that they altered the rule because the Mets seemingly got caught with their pants down when Hernandez got hurt. But they ended up flourishing behind Oliver Perez � sort of fixing what wasn't really broke.

Is it that hard to carry more than four starters?

[G-Fafif]

As I recall, the issue wasn't replacing Hernandez in the NLDS (I believe Royce Ring got the call, but was never used). It was not being able to replace Floyd on the eve of the NLCS.

Either way, somebody lock O'Flaherty in his room at the 114th St. Holiday Inn until November 4, just in case.

[Edgy MD]

I root for O'Flaherty to knock 'em dead over these last two series and make the choice as hard as possible.

Harder than it is now for the 25 of us, anyhow.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That would be nice. I remember a younger version of myself thinking that my worst nightmare would be seeing Doug Sisk pitching in a World Series game for the Mets, but then it happened and it wasn't so bad.

[Gwreck]

G-Fafif wrote: As I recall, the issue wasn't replacing Hernandez in the NLDS (I believe Royce Ring got the call, but was never used). It was not being able to replace Floyd on the eve of the NLCS.

Didn't Cliff start game 1 of the NLCS, though? And got injured running the bases?

[G-Fafif]

Gwreck wrote: G-Fafif wrote: As I recall, the issue wasn't replacing Hernandez in the NLDS (I believe Royce Ring got the call, but was never used). It was not being able to replace Floyd on the eve of the NLCS. Didn't Cliff start game 1 of the NLCS, though? And got injured running the bases?

You're right about Game One. Was iffy to begin with, though he talked himself onto the roster after hurting himself in Game Three vs LA.

[Edgy MD]

DariOH! rejoining the team after missing two weeks with a groin injury. Big chance to improve upon your two-vote total, son.

[Edgy MD]

I'm just remembering now that part of the issue with the injury replacement in 1986 was that Game One was postponed, pushing the first three games forward by a day, and taking out the day off, making it suddenly unviable to go with three starting pitchers.

I'm also suddenly remembering that Jerry Blevins has delusionally argued that he could be ready for the post-season. Maybe he should have been in the poll.

[Edgy MD]

One thing to come out of this crappy series is that Kirk Nieuwenhuis outplayed Juan Lagares, which may feed into the Mets thinking.

It may feed into YOURS!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'm open to that consideration. I'm also definitely in favor of leaving Dario-Alvarez-against-righties off the 25-man.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Gilmartin may have edged out Goeddel for me. If Carlos Torres could be trusted I'd move him in, but he hasn't proven that yet. He was much better before he gave up 52.

[MFS62]

heard on Sports Radio yesterday (don't remember which station) that lefties only hit about .125 against Tyler this year.
Just saying.

Later

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

.138/.232/.239 over 156 PA. Really, it's just an extension of the reverse-splatoon-splits he's exhibited since his career began (.182/.265/.307, against .200/.287/.361 when facing righties), likely because of his changeup's movement against southpaws, some speculate.

[Edgy MD]

Unfortunately, those splits didn't show up yesterday.

[G-Fafif]

Matz and Uribe reportedly not healing like crazy. Also, Wilmer has strep throat (but it's sure nice talking to you, Dad, it's sure nice talking to you...).

[Edgy MD]

Not quite as important, but still thrilling, is that we have 28 users willing to fill out a very complicated poll, as long as it doesn't require spending too much time watching eighties videos.

Gilmartin has moved ahead in the battle with Goeddel. And poor Carlos Torres is going backwards, and now sits behind Bobby Parnell.

STARTERS (6) Jacob deGrom 28 Matt Harvey 28 Steven Matz 28 Noah Syndergaard 28 Bartolo Colon 26 Jon Niese 21	NON-STARTERS (1) Tim Stauffer 0 . . . . .
RELIEVERS (5) Tyler Clippard 28 Jeurys Familia 28 Addison Reed 26 Hansel Robles 25 Sean Gilmartin 12 .	RELIEVED (6) Erik Goeddel 11 Logan Verrett 8 Dario Alvarez 2 Bobby Parnell 2 Carlos Torres 1 Eric O'Flaherty 0
CATCHERS (2) Travis d'Arnaud 28 Kevin Plawecki 24	BELLY-SCRATCHERS (2) Anthony Recker 4 Johnny Monell 0
INFIELDERS (7) Lucas Duda 28 Wilmer Flores 28 Kelly Johnson 28 Daniel Murphy 28 Ruben Tejada 28 David Wright 28 Juan Uribe 20	FUTILITY INFIELDERS (2) Eric Campbell 0 Dilson Herrera 1 . . . . .
OUTFIELDERS (5) Yoenis Cespedes 28 Curtis Granderson 28 Michael Conforto 27 Juan Lagares 27 Michael Cuddyer 26	LEFT-OUTFIELDERS (2) Kirk Nieuwenhuis 7 Eric Young, Jr. 2 . . .

If Matz can't go, that's goed news for Goeddel (tinged, of course, with some sadness). At least, according to our voters

Our voters also say seventh infielder Uribe would likely yield his spot to sixth outfielder Kirk Niewenhuis. If Flores can't go, things get complex. Do the Mets feel good about riding Tejada through the playoffs, with Kelly Johnson as his backup? Dilson would likely join the team if they are short two infielders, but the possibility remains of an emergency call to Matt Reynolds.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I hope you guys like blondes as you're all fucking Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Oh, calm down, Kirk'll be okay, since Uriboobs are never going to heal, ever.

Edgy MD wrote: Gilmartin has moved ahead in the battle with Goeddel. And poor Carlos Torres is going backwards, and now sits behind Bobby Parnell.

Seriously, who are the trollfaced lurkers who voted for Wackbeard? I'M CALLIN' YOU OUT

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I hope you guys like blondes as you're all fucking Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

It really told me something when Terry pulled Cespedes following the HbP and sent Kirk out there instead of Laggy.

[Zvon]

What's the latest on Blevins? Since I put Torres in my dog house I have an open vote.

[Edgy MD]

Juan Uribe = "Really Iffy" for Dodger series. You may want to adjust your rosters accordingly.

Steven Matz = Throwing long-toss tomorrow, and scheduled to throw 90-95 pitches in an instructional league game on Thursday if that works out.

Flores, I get the idea is expected to be ready, but I think Tejada may see more time.

Jerry Blevins: no updates. I'm thinking that either that dream is dead (8% likelihood), or the Mets are hiding that ace way up their sleeves (2%).

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Reports from Mike Vorkunov and others say that Goeddel is in, while Soupy, Recker, Parnell, Verrett, and EY are headed to St. Lucie purgatory.

Kirk's fate appears to be riding on the magnetic-resonance images of another man's insides.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Who is the other person who didn't vote for Cuddyer? And can the other 26 explain the postseason value of a guy who gets out on one pitch practically every time he comes to bat? Are we going to save him to pinch hit when there's a runner on third and fewer than 2 outs?

[Ceetar]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Who is the other person who didn't vote for Cuddyer? And can the other 26 explain the postseason value of a guy who gets out on one pitch practically every time he comes to bat? Are we going to save him to pinch hit when there's a runner on third and fewer than 2 outs?

.302/.352/.458 in the second half. .277/.344/.461 for his career.

He's a better hitter than half the guys on the team.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Who is the other person who didn't vote for Cuddyer?

Can't go to battle without Coach Cuddy!?! What are they thinking?

[Gwreck]

28 Voters x 25 players = 700 spots to pick. Somehow only 695 spots were picked though. Hence the problem.

[Edgy MD]

Jeff and Fred voted.

[Fman99]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I hope you guys like blondes as you're all fucking Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

I love blondes. And brunettes and redheads and bald chicks and chicks with purple hair. Now, Kirk, go put on that dress I like.

[Gwreck]

Uribe officially ruled out.

Steven Matz threw a bullpen today, Alderson says team is "encouraged" by this.

[G-Fafif]

Not sent to PSL, not invited to work out, simply told their season was over, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here: Monell, Herrera, Stauffer, Alvarez and O'Flaherty. As noted upthread, Recker, EYJ, Campbell, Verrett, Parnell are taxi-squadding in Florida.

Not mentioned in any account I've seen: Carlos Torres, who's on the verge of falling off the active roster for the first time since the middle of June 2013.