Walker's back

[Centerfield]

Terry's comments seem more in line with Neil. Sandy not so much.

Can't imagine how one can think playing with a herniated disc doesn't risk further injury.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Edgy MD wrote: 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.

I think it doesn't take to much for something to be a season-ending injury in September. But surgery is always pretty scary!

I liked Walker. Good pickup.

[ashie62]

I am guessing Walker has played his last game as a Met. Sadly, Duda also with arbitration and back issues pending.

[TransMonk]

Really? I'm thinking that if his back surgery and rehab is deemed successful that he would be the odds on favorite to be the starting Mets 2Bman in 2017.

If not him, then who?

[Frayed Knot]

If not him, then who?

From Page 1 of this thread:

• 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.
  
• 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

Also, not mentioned, Matt Reynolds.
Some of these are more likely than other of course. I don't think Rosario, for instance, is playing anything other than SS and probably not until late 2017 or '18
And while I wouldn't exclude Walker (although he'll probably be looking for a L-T deal this winter) the worst move teams often make is assuming that there aren't other options, including going outside the organization just like they did for him this year.

[TransMonk]

Just now realizing that Page 1 was about next year and not this one. *facepalm*

I would still put any extra Cranebucks I had lying around on Walker for OD '17 pending a promising recovery.

[smg58]

themetfairy wrote: 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.

Cecchini officially got the call today. He's had issues with throwing errors at SS, and Rosario would displace him there sooner or later anyway, so I figure he'll see more action in the majors at second. But I guess time will tell.

[ashie62]

I guess Walker took the surgery now so he can be a healthier free agent. Class move Neil.

Edited September 6, 2016 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

No matter what, he's going to be a very suspect free agent.

[TransMonk]

I'm speculating he'd come back to the Mets on a cheap-o one year deal with an option.

[Centerfield]

For a cheap deal he would probably prefer to go back to Pittsburgh no?

It will be interesting to see if the Mets offer the QO.

[Frayed Knot]

Neil Walker may or may not be a Met next year but, even when they're coming off back surgeries, I don't tend to see 31 y/o (31 this Saturday to be specific) middle infielders coming off 23 HR / 823 OPS seasons opting for cheap-o one year deals.



P.S. the strangest stat of the year has to be Neil Walker's total of just 9 doubles. This from a guy who had averages just shy of 29/per over the previous six seasons.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: P.S. the strangest stat of the year has to be Neil Walker's total of just 9 doubles. This from a guy who had averages just shy of 29/per over the previous six seasons.

There's an idea, worked into xFIP for instance, that FB/HR rate is somewhat random. So Walker's HR spike is probably tied to his low double rate. Sometimes they carry over, sometimes they don't. It's something to think about when projecting Walker for next year anyway.

Or perhaps there's something to the juiced ball theory this year,and guys with solid 'warning track' power that were blasting doubles are getting more and more over the wall (Daniel Murphy?)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I still don't what to think about Walker. Great start, long stretch of poor performance, then a strong third act accompanied by injury. Really sorta like Cabrera.

I would have guessed he was trade meat and that Hererra would take over but obv that didn't happen. I wonder if the willingness to flip Hererra had something to do do with the potential usefulness of Cecchini at 2B.

I like stealth prospects.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: P.S. the strangest stat of the year has to be Neil Walker's total of just 9 doubles. This from a guy who had averages just shy of 29/per over the previous six seasons. There's an idea, worked into xFIP for instance, that FB/HR rate is somewhat random. So Walker's HR spike is probably tied to his low double rate. Sometimes they carry over, sometimes they don't. It's something to think about when projecting Walker for next year anyway. Or perhaps there's something to the juiced ball theory this year,and guys with solid 'warning track' power that were blasting doubles are getting more and more over the wall (Daniel Murphy?)

Yeah, but it's not like Walker's HR-rate is crazy high. His 23 this year merely matches his previous peak (albeit in about 85% of the ABs) while his non-HR XBHs went from averaging over 30/year to
just 10 this season (9 2B + 1 3B). So while maybe a handful of his doubles became HRs, the rest simply disappeared.
Quite different than Murphy's case where his increased HR clip has been in addition to his usual bushel-load of doubles as he's both leading the league in two-baggers and will likely meet or pass his
previous high of 40 (has 38 now).

[ashie62]

Walker pissed off Sandy. Goodbye Neil.

[Edgy MD]

• 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?

Sheesh:

T.J. Rivera, now adding the National League to the leagues he's hit .300 in.