Walker's back

[Frayed Knot]

That is, a discussion of Neil Walker's back, which is not quite the same thing as Walker is back.

A "herniated disc" is the first opinion although, as always, a second will follow. Alderson calls it a "pretty routine" disc injury that is causing weakness is Walker's lower body, "but not significant enough to prevent him from playing". He goes on to dismiss rumors that it could be a career ending situation as "fabrication"; "I don't want people to become too concerned about where we are. I don't think it's as serious as it's been portrayed." sez Sandy.

So, unless the second opinion proves more dire than the first by warning of further damage if he plays with his present condition, this is basically a pain management issue and Walker could be back in the lineup later this week if and when he feels up to it.


http://m.mlb.com/news/article/198735808/neil-walker-should-be-ok-to-return-in-2016/

Edited August 31, 2016 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

Hopefully he'll be able to play more often than not for the next month or (dare we hope?) two.

I can't help wondering what impact it will have on 2017. This occurs just as talk of resigning Walker was starting to heat up. I can only imagine that this will make the Mets a lot more hesitant to do that.

[Lefty Specialist]

Supposedly a repeat of a problem he had in 2012. That doesn't bode well for the long term.

[Centerfield]

Certainly brings his price down a bit. Maybe he takes a QO and hits the market again demonstrating his back is healthy?

I can't believe we traded Dilson still.

[Edgy MD]

Dilson Shmillson. The Reds haven't even called him up yet.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I felt like Walker re-signing was a longshot from the start but that was before we traded Hererra. Even then, Cecchini or Flores or Reynolds etc. could probably fake it there. Wouldn't be my top priority to bring him back.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm over Dilson. I don't think second base will be a problem next year. They have a lot of options.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'm over Dilson. I don't think second base will be a problem next year. They have a lot of options.

yes, but a 'good' option might be nice.

[Edgy MD]

Sheesh:

• Wilmer Flores is slugging the ball all over the place, OPSing .866 in August after a .957 July. He also brings a sugary magic with him to the ballpark every time he plays.
  
  
  
• José Reyes has been a freaking dervish and the leadoff hitter this team hasn't had since ... José Reyes.
  
  
  
• Gavin Cecchini is a number-one draft choice hitting .330 / .391 / .454 // .845 in Las Vegas.
  
  
  
• T.J. Rivera has hit over .300 at every level he's seen, except the big leagues where he's currently 11 points short. Give him time. Meanwhile, he's at .347 / .388 / .508 // .896 in AAA. I don't care how thin the air is or how old he is relative to the league. Guys who hit like that get paid.
  
  
  
• Ty Kelly is playing for the same team, going .328 / .409 / .435 // .844 and he's funny. He's hit a little in the bigs too.
  
  
  
• Phil Evans is a middle round draftee who got early round money to forego college, hitting .328 / .367 / .475 // .842 in Binghamton. He's fifth in the league in batting average.
  
  
  
• Amed Rosario is a consensus top 20 prospect, top 10 on at least a few lists, hitting .324 / .375 / .473 // .848 at 20 years old in the Eastern League.
  
  
  
• L.J. Mazzilli is named L.J. Mazzilli.

They may combine to create a ridiculous glut of talent or they may all flop. So might Herrera. But what do you want? Eggs in your beer?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Anthony DiComo wrote: Terry Collins says imminent surgery remains an option for Neil Walker, despite Alderson's optimism. "He needs to get his strength back."

[seawolf17]

I had hernia surgery in 2008 and I have had ZERO major league at bats since. This does not bode well.

[TransMonk]

Can we make a Frankenstein player out of the good portions of the backs and necks from Wright/Duda/Walker?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

sounds like its season-ending surgery for Wawa.

[Frayed Knot]

Yup. Rubin is now reporting that NW will opt for surgery ... so ignore all that stuff at the top of the thread.

[Frayed Knot]

So among the season starting infield:
- 1B went out for the season starting on May 21 after 145 PA
- 2B is now out for the remainder of the season, last played on August 27
- 3B went out for the season on May 28 - 164 PA
- the starting SS missed "only" 17 games and the starting catcher was out for 50

[Edgy MD]

Any thoughts on putting Reyes primarily at second and Flores primarily at third?

I mean, I know Terry will never go for it, but would you?

[Frayed Knot]

I think I like Wilmer better at 2nd. I don't trust his throws from 3rd ... and, yes, I realize the irony of saying this on a night where Jose made 2 errors.

[Edgy MD]

Really? I think hands and arm is where Wilmer measures up. It's the need for speed in the middle of the diamond and nimble feet around the bag that gives me pause.

[Frayed Knot]

WF's arm is strong enough for that side of the diamond but it's too scattered, particularly when he has to rush throws.
Plus why burden Jose with his 2nd new position in two months?

Basically you've got Loney, Flores, Johnson as a three-headed 1B/2B while Reyes + Cabrera + whoever [Reynolds, Cecchini?] cover the other side.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: Plus why burden Jose with his 2nd new position in two months?

That indeed might be Terry's exact position.

The answer I'd give is that it's not really new and there's reason to believe he'd be more effectively deployed there for the Mets.

[Centerfield]

Jose plays SS. Cabrera plays 2nd. Both are very familiar with the position.

Flores and Johnson split 3rd. Let's hope Rivera can hit.

[Lefty Specialist]

I'm more comfortable with Wilmer at 2nd. Jose still has a gun for an arm, which I like at 3rd.

Or put Wilmer at 1st and play Johnson at 2nd. But I'd leave Jose at 3rd for now, unless Cabrera's knee collapses (which could easily happen).

[smg58]

Gavin Cecchini might figure into the equation as well.

[Guest themetfairy]

smg58 wrote: Gavin Cecchini might figure into the equation as well.

He might. They'll be trying him out at second base in the Arizona Fall League.

[ashie62]

Any call for Amed Rosario.

[Frayed Knot]

At this point they don't have the 40-man space for Rosario and are running out of ways to create new ones.
Nor do I think they'd go to him if they did as he's still just 20 y/o with <200 ABs above A-ball.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Rosario's not nearly done baking yet. Leave him in the oven, would you?

Fuck, play whoever wherever. Honestly, whether it's Reyes at third/Flores at second or the other way around or Cabrera playing second while Flores plays short center with Conforto on his shoulders (NO BLOOPS DEFENSE), the infield defense is still going to be costing-dear-runs bad, innit?

Now that I think about it... bring up Rosario. Guillorme and Milton Ramos, too. Put Carpio in a sling and a brace, and give him a plane ticket. We may need a bench full of defensive replacements more than hitters, don't you think?

Edited September 1, 2016 by Guest

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Any thoughts on putting Reyes primarily at second and Flores primarily at third? I mean, I know Terry will never go for it, but would you?

I agree that Wilmer's best spot might be third base (less to do). And I think that Reyes would be better at second when it comes to pivots and DPs (footwork). But I think the best set up might be Flores-3rd, Reyes-SS, Cabrera-2nd.

Cabrera wanted to prove to the baseball world that he could still play some great SS. He has done that, so maybe he will be okay with that move. As far as Reyes playing the right side of the infield as well as the left, if Jose really wants to close his career with the Mets he should be prepared to play anywhere at anytime. He's one of the few that I believe can do that without a problem.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

There's just no way they're going to move 3 people.

Reyes 3B
Cabrera SS
Flores/Johnson/Rivera 2B
Flores/Loney/Johnson 1B

Kelly backs up Reyes and the 2Bmen

Deal with injuries if/when they arrive but don;t play to avoid them

[Edgy MD]

No, there's no way indeed. Terry is terry-fied of moving just one. I was just flying the flag of a differing philosophy.

Back to Walker. This went from he'll be back shortly to he'll be back never pretty soon, didn't it? From not particularly serious to season ending surgery.

I also glean from Terry and Sandy's comments that Walker's decision wasn't particularly what the Mets were recommending.