Soothsaying for Sixteen: T.J. Rivera

[Edgy MD]

Let's face it, with Murph gone, with Tehooty gone, the infield situation is WIDE OPEN ... yeah, we got two new guys, but how long is that going to last? Short-timers! There's going to be a void soon, and who's going to fill it? You, Frayed Knot? You, Lefty Specialist? I don't think so! So why not ME?!

I'm T.J. Rivera. That stands for "Thomas Javier," but it might as well stand for "Terrifying Justice" as far as my enemies are concerned. But I have no more enemies, at least not at the minor league level, for they are all vanquished. What I have are the potential enemies soon to fall at the big league level.

I'm a Bronx-born (Lehman HS — GO LOBOS!), multi-position, minor league veteran juggernaut who has hit at every damn level (.318 career batting average, and a .784 OPS) despite being undrafted. Oh, and I was discovered by Mackey Sasser. Yahtzee.

It's like I keep telling folks, if you overlook me, you pay. How much will I play, and how much will you pay, in 2016?

[fimg=241:30dpspy8]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2559760.1457627738!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_400/rivera11s-2-web.jpg[/fimg:30dpspy8] [fimg=559:30dpspy8]http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/6/6/74037266/cuts/rivers_kjsftvhm_9b37oz8u.jpg[/fimg:30dpspy8]
[fimg=531:30dpspy8]http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/T.J.-Rivera.png[/fimg:30dpspy8] [fimg=269:30dpspy8]http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/1/2/122525412/cuts/17192416329_19cb4b084d_k_8po1nxxh_puetbgti.jpg[/fimg:30dpspy8]

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: How much will I play, and how much will you pay, in 2016?[fimg=269]http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/1/2/122525412/cuts/17192416329_19cb4b084d_k_8po1nxxh_puetbgti.jpg[/fimg]

It's a puzzle.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think L.J. will beat T.J. to the majors. No TJ Time this year.

[Edgy MD]

Bold words, as L.J. remains in Bingo while T.J. is a 51.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Nothing overly Metly, if at all, in 2016.

[MFS62]

He is this installment of the Josh Satin story. His only problem is that he got a late start as a pro, and has been labelled "to old for his league" as he moves up the ladder. He can hit! And his versatility will get him a looksee this year.
23 G, 70 AB, .287, 2, 11
And a major league future - somewhere.

Later

[Edgy MD]

This guy's a godsend. They let Murphy walk, jettison Tejada, see Campbell hit his way off the team, lose Walker for the year to injury, possibly the same with Flores, and the still have a choice between two second baseman getting the job done regularly.

And three more are picking splinters behind them. I'd tell you to get on your knees and thank the heavens for Mackey Sasser, but I bet most of you already do that.

[Zvon]

I'm always thinking in the back of my mind (due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Captain) who is going to be our next regular third baseman. No matter how it shakes out we will need one more sooner than later.

For the longest time, from early 2015, Matt Reynolds was my front-runner. Walker and Johnson muddied things up but until they put in some more time they have been rent-a-players as far as I'm concerned. Reyes....well, if David does return and stay on the field this will muddy up things and I'm not sure if it would be good or bad. It's a can of worms for another thread (re:development of these new players) but if Reyes can hit like he has been in 2017, he'll have to play. I'm assuming Cabrera is still our shortstop. I've said before, even though I'm a huge fan of Reyes I think that shortstop now belongs to Asdrubal, at least as long as he wants it (and can do the job, of course. His fielding had amazed me. Still, it would seem more logical to have Cabs at 2nd & Reyes at short).

Back to our future third baseman, I'm talking who from within the organization. Cause that's the way I usually prefer it. Since TJ came up he quietly passed Reynolds in my third base thinking. It all hinges on his arm. I have to see him throwing more, because I thought he had an odd way of throwing his first few games. I have not noticed this throwing thing recently.

I think there's a good chance this guy could be the one.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I like TJ, and as noted above badly underestimated him. But I'd still be wary of handing him a full-time gig. I know he walked some in the minors but 3 in 100+ PAs up here, and nobody hits .340 without taking walks forever.

[Edgy MD]

[fimg=300:2agh9c2l]http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/jt6stt/picture38014854/ALTERNATES/FREE_640/Marlins%20Cardinals%20Baseball[/fimg:2agh9c2l]

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I like TJ, and as noted above badly underestimated him. But I'd still be wary of handing him a full-time gig. I know he walked some in the minors but 3 in 100+ PAs up here, and nobody hits .340 without taking walks forever.

IIRC, in his first 5 years in the majors, Roberto Clemente totaled fewer than 100 walks. His walk rate improved as his career progressed.

Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Those are both effective exceptions to my obviously broadly stated argument, but how about you Smartpantses give me an argument about what to expect? I'm not seriously considering that you're suggesting we have the next Ichiro or Clemente on our hands.

[Edgy MD]

Absolutely not. I just like that smug Suzuki photo. You're absolutely right in that he's working with an unsustainable act.

I think T.J. has bounced ahead of Reynolds and ChiChi in the race for opening day roster status in 2017, but it's best not to fall in love with him at this juncture.

[Benjamin Grimm]

My hunch is that Jose Reyes is the leading contender for second base as long as we're going under the assumption (however illusory it might be) that David Wright will be healthy next year.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That's probably right. Jose will likely play some at every position (3B-SS-2B) and Wright, if he's back, become the Steve Napolitano* of the club: The RH-hitting bench power threat, first-base platoonmate for Doodoo, occassional 3Bman.

*-Embedded reference quiz. Who's Steve Napolitano?

[Edgy MD]

I don't think Wright's opening the season healthy next year, but yeah, I think Reyes is ticketed for second when Wright comes back. That's part of why I spoke about the roster rather than the lineup.

"Steve Napolitano" is name I've heard Howie Rose say 1,000 times (in my imagination, anyhow). In what context? Damned if I know. Assistant to the assistant trainer?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

"Industry Veteran" Steve Napolitano runs a company called Amtrust Title Insurance that used to have a different name (1st National, I think).

I imagine there should be a big gathering of the bizarro people you meet during Met radio commercials, in a luxury box one night. Industry Veteran Steve Napolitano, Nawmin Seabrook, Craig Fina etc.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I still miss Giuseppe Franco.

[Frayed Knot]

Every once in a while I wonder if anyone keeps track of how Mets record correlates to the announced 'State Farm Dealer of the Day'.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: I don't think Wright's opening the season healthy next year, but yeah, I think Reyes is ticketed for second when Wright comes back. That's part of why I spoke about the roster rather than the lineup. "Steve Napolitano" is name I've heard Howie Rose say 1,000 times (in my imagination, anyhow). In what context? Damned if I know. Assistant to the assistant trainer?

I would prefer if Reyes were the backup to Wright/Cabrera/whoever our second baseman is rather than relying on him to duplicate his production this year. And also relying on Wright/Cabrera/whoever our second baseman is to stay healthy.

I doubt it will go that way, but this is what I'd want.

I'd love to see them bring back Walker, but my hunch is that he's gone.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

TJ, Cecchini, Flores etc.... We have depth in the infield already. I thought Walker was a goner for sure but he mighr come back but only at our price

[Edgy MD]

I think the Mets mentally moved on after he broke with them on putting off his surgery and trying to play out the season.