POLL: 1ST BASE

[Frayed Knot]

Loney's not even a panic move. 'Panic' to me would mean dealing some potentially valuable future piece for an outsider because you think the team is going to fall apart without imported help.
But Loney would be essentially free to pick up and, unlike Duda, we wouldn't be invested in him past this season so he could play a straight 1B platoon with Flores while allowing Wilmer to get in the occasional 2B & 3B action filling in for Wright and/or Walker.
Loney also strengthens the LH-hitting bench just as Wilmer strengthens the right. And likely both Campbell & Kelly are banished with De Aza representing a much stronger 25th roster spot.


All that said, it's unclear if there have even been talks between the parties yet so we shouldn't start prematurely enumerating unhatched farm fowl with these pretend roster moves quite yet, but I like it as a plan.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: All that said, it's unclear if there have even been talks between the parties yet so we shouldn't start prematurely enumerating unhatched farm fowl ...

Joel Sherman says his agents have made plans to meet with the Mets and OHMYGOD!! SOMANYCHICKENS!!!

[MFS62]

Wilmer started at first base for Binghamton last night and went 2-3.

Later

[RealityChuck]

Frayed Knot wrote: Loney's not even a panic move. 'Panic' to me would mean dealing some potentially valuable future piece for an outsider because you think the team is going to fall apart without imported help. But Loney would be essentially free to pick up and, unlike Duda, we wouldn't be invested in him past this season so he could play a straight 1B platoon with Flores while allowing Wilmer to get in the occasional 2B & 3B action filling in for Wright and/or Walker. Loney also strengthens the LH-hitting bench just as Wilmer strengthens the right. And likely both Campbell & Kelly are banished with De Aza representing a much stronger 25th roster spot.

My thoughts exactly. It only costs the major league minimum salary to get him. He's no Duda, but he's a strong replacement.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, I don't really see any downside to Loney at this point. I know the official word is that it will be Wilmer, but they can't say it will be Loney because he's still a Padre.

[Frayed Knot]

And I still think that Wilmer will get a sizable portion of the 1B time.
But this would allow Terry to play Loney against RHPs so as to get the best out of him (career splits aren't extreme though typically favor him vs righties) while freeing up Wilmer to play elsewhere as well. It also improves the bench & the defense, gives more double-switch / late-inning options, etc.

[Centerfield]

I am still team Dilson.

But if you are not going that route, Loney needs to be signed ASAP. He's a better hitter than Wilmer, and a better first baseman. Platooning Wilmer and Loney, as FK suggests, is probably a good bet. If something better presents itself, you can just cut Loney.

This frees up Wilmer to spot Wright and spell Cabrera, who is eventually going to need some rest.

And all of this takes away at-bats from Eric Campbell.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I like-- well, "like" might be strong-- the Loney backup plan, in a belt-and-suspenders way. But really, I think I want to give Wilmer another extended audition here. True, he hasn't been the bat one would have hoped for out of a bat-first infielder so far, but that's so far. He's trended in the right direction, approach-wise and results-wise, AND HE'S 23. He's still not necessarily what he will be, you know?

2-4 weeks. Then-- ugh-- pass the bull-Loney. (Also, take the Soup away. I did NOT order the Soup.)

[Edgy MD]

Wrinkle in the plan: Pads sat Will Myers last night with a forearm strain. They may end up calling up Loney themselves.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Wrinkle in the plan: Pads sat Will Myers last night with a forearm strain.

Too many sliders?

[Edgy MD]

No transaction announced by the team, but The Daily News (among others) is reporting that this is a done deal. Loney himself just tweeted out, "I❤️NY."

On the other hand, didn't Carlos Gomez do something like that?

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Mets.official posted something on Instagram, too!

[Zvon]

Wow. I really didn't expect them to make a move like this.

[Edgy MD]

Hardly any reason not to do it.
[list:bpy6ugvg][*:bpy6ugvg]No prohibitive contract.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]No talent required in exchange.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]Fills a gap by batting left-handed.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]Even if he doesn't hit, he gets on base.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]Even if he doesn't get on base, he fields his position.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]He can possibly be a lefty pinch-hit option when/if Duda returns.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg]
[*:bpy6ugvg]Even if he doesn't do any of that, he's releasable without penalty.[/*:m:bpy6ugvg][/list:u:bpy6ugvg]
The main downside is they either have to put Duda on the 60-Day (which may be inevitable) or dangle somebody else to open up a roster spot.

[RealityChuck]

Sucks to be Ty Kelly right now.

[Lefty Specialist]

Yeah, someone's getting voted off the island. Please be Eric Campbell.

[Zvon]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Yeah, someone's getting voted off the island. Please be Eric Campbell.

Ten bucks it's Reynolds.

[Frayed Knot]

I'd keep Reynolds and exchange Campbell & Kelly for Loney & Flores. Which order that happens in is pretty much irrelevant.

Wilmer to be activated on Sunday, Loney on Monday or Tuesday according most recent scuttlebutt.

[Zvon]

Frayed Knot wrote: I'd keep Reynolds and exchange Campbell & Kelly for Loney & Flores. Which order that happens in is pretty much irrelevant. Wilmer to be activated on Sunday, Loney on Monday or Tuesday according most recent scuttlebutt.

I agree 100%. But Reynolds always seems to get the short stick.

Always liked Looney. When it was just talk in the wind my bro asked what do the Padres get? and I said a bag of balls. I didn't want him to cost us any flesh. And to me the Mets $$ is just a bag of balls so I think we did real good here.

[Lefty Specialist]

So, does this count as:

PANIC!!! TRADE FOR A VETERAN 1B NOW!!

[ashie62]

Rubin says we got Loney and no further info.

[Centerfield]

Hey guys! Just wondering how many more guys have to get hurt and/or hit below .200 before I get a chance. No sour grapes or anything. Just curious. You know, so I can plan and stuff.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

James Loney, Tweeting wrote: I❤️NY.

How do you feel about slightly more westerly time zones, bud?

[Vic Sage]

Centerfield wrote: Hey guys! Just wondering how many more guys have to get hurt and/or hit below .200 before I get a chance. No sour grapes or anything. Just curious. You know, so I can plan and stuff.

Yeah, right? Walker played 3b when he came up with Pitt and I think he'd be fine there while David is out, particularly since his lack of range would be less of a factor there than it is at 2b. Meanwhile, we get Herrera into the lineup, rather than Kelly or (gulp!) Campbell, and let Loney platoon with Flores at 1b. I think an infield of Walker - Cabrera - Hererra - Flores/Loney would give us the best combo of offense and defense, and keep Campbell off the field. It would also give us another option for the top of the order, where Grandy is hurting us on a daily basis.