Transaction Poll: Walker for Niese

[Edgy MD]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I mean, it's no BIG surprise, is it? There were, and are, a lot-- a lot-- of positives to the trade, even before you consider more carefully the specific on-field-abilities of the players involved. Need for need, dealing from a position of strength to fill a pressing need, buying apparently low, the expiring deal/how it fits our roster... plus, most anyone here who had feelings for Niese had feelings of the past-fondness variety, right?

There's a lot to like, but it's two years for one. On the other hand, it's the tenuousness of pitching for the relatively reliability of an everyday player.

And in 2016, a guy who can hit a little bit is suddenly a dearer commodity than a starting pitcher.

[batmagadanleadoff]

The Mets save a lot of money (well, I suppose it's a lot of money to these Mets, but not a heckuvva lotta money to a real big market team that operates like a big market team instead of a big market team that's a big market team in name only) because Niese was their highest paid pitcher and he was expendable, and they save on the free agent money they wouldda hadda pay Murph to keep him.

Of course, like with everything else, we won't know how good this deal was until the season's over --- but I'd guess that it'll work out for the Mets because Walker should match whatever production the Mets got from Murph and could reasonably expect to get from Murph. But if it turns out that Murph really did transform himself into someone that could now all of a sudden bang out 25+ HR's regularly and reliably, like some were implying or suggesting during Murph's heroic playoff run, well then we'll hafta see about that.

Edited April 8, 2016 by Guest

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think the Muff-Walker swap could well be an offensive net loss for us but makes more sense from an organizational resources standpoint, and upgrading the glove sure won't hurt.

I also think it has the potential to become even more economically efficient if/when we reach midseason. If Dilson is knocking on the door, Walker could go in a trade -- perhaps, for a Niese-ish pitcher should the need for more starting dept arise.

[Edgy MD]

Scoring on a scale 0 points for "HATE," and 4 points for "LOVE," this high-participation poll resulted in a solid and impressive 3.0 average rating.

[batmagadanleadoff]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The Mets save a lot of money (well, I suppose it's a lot of money to these Mets, but not a heckuvva lotta money to a real big market team that operates like a big market team instead of a big market team that's a big market team in name only) because Niese was their highest paid pitcher and he was expendable, and they save on the free agent money they wouldda hadda pay Murph to keep him....

Who knows? It might even be the case that the $20M-$30M the Mets saved by trading Niese and letting Murph walk is what allowed the Mets to sign Cespedes for 2016.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Everyone who had Walker leading the team in HR's approaching
double-digits with a week to go in April please raise your hand.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

The season is still yound, but so far, this deal has worked out quite well for the Mets.

I liked it at the time and I like it even more now.

[MFS62]

My like is turning to love.
Not enough to be picking out curtains yet.
But getting there.

Later

[Centerfield]

Hey, you know who hasn't hit 8 HR's? And is not batting .400? Ben Zobrist. That's who. His numbers? .250 with 1 HR.

It's not quite George Costanza, but I'm thinking going forward Sandy should compile his list of targets, rank them, then skip right to #2.

[Frayed Knot]

Niese was handed a 7-0 lead last night but immediately gave 4 of those runs back and only lasted thru 5, eventually getting a ND in a game the Pirates won in the 12th.
Now granted it was in Colorado, but it seems like that's a movie we sat through a couple of times already.

He's still 3-0 this season but with an ERA just north of 5.00, nearly 1.5 baserunners per inning, and a league leading 7 HRs/allowed.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Frayed Knot wrote: Niese ... and a league leading 7 HRs/allowed.

There'd be some real sweet Niese-Walker symmetry going on if Niese gave up two more HR's.

[Lefty Specialist]

I just want him to hit 2 home runs OFF Niese.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: Niese was handed a 7-0 lead last night but immediately gave 4 of those runs back and only lasted thru 5, evntually getting a ND in a game the Pirates won in the 12th.

Obviously the defense is to blame.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, the outfielders weren't playing high enough. [2 HRs, 1 3B, 2 2Bs -- most of it in one inning]