Centerfield

d'Kong76 wrote: I don't know, when 41F gets on a roll he sounds like a polished professional purveyor of promotional propoganda. It's a baseball team, not capitol hill or whatever here. I agree with this. At least for me, when I criticize the ownership (or anyone else) for bad behavior, his immediate response is not to focus on the bad behavior, but how to spin it to the public so that it sounds less bad. It's so reflexive and instinctive I don't think he notices it. Beyond disagreeing about any subject, and I am not meaning to be inciteful here, but I really think this is a poor reflection on the character of a person.

I agree that Cespedes (and for his part, Beltran) could alleviate a lot by taking matters into their own hands and speaking directly to the press. But you are asking someone who is an athlete (not a correspondent), to speak to the press in his second language, after they have already seemingly made up their minds that they are against him, and with the full support of his employer. Just a bullshit situation to be in. And although Cespedes could certainly help himself here, the big issue is that he's being put in that situation in the first place. Absolute classless, bullshit, dickless assholes running this organization. And if Sandy actually feels this (and isn't just giving the company line) then fuck him even more. And I don't think the underlying message from those quotes could be any more clear. The Wilpons think he's a bum. They think that these athletes are babied too much as it is. And they felt public pressure to sign Cespedes, and now all he does is get hurt all the time. See, they were right all along.

A big part of my problem with Sandy is how much he was willing to spew the Wilpon rhetoric. Mets GM Sandy Alderson talked to reporters on Thursday about the injury to Cespedes, “I’m a little surprised it has taken as long as it has. … I’m hopeful he’ll be ready to go in the not-too-distant future.” Hey guys. Cespedes is dogging it. He's a fucking bum. “Honestly, sometimes I think we’re a little too cautious, frankly, with how we approach injuries,” Alderson said. These spoiled fucking athletes should get off their ass and start earning the money we're paying them. Cespedes has a contract that pays him $29 million a season through 2020, and Alderson, in comments almost 10 days ago, seemed to question the wisdom of the Mets’ decision — actually, his decision — to sign him to a four-year, $110 million contract after the 2016 season. “Some people are more susceptible to injuries than others,” Alderson said. “Maybe you could say, ‘Well, gee, susceptible to injury, shouldn’t that have entered into some decision in the past?’ And the answer to that would be yes, in all probability. That all gets taken into account.” See what happens when you spend money? You get a lazy-ass dog who sits around collecting paychecks for nothing. You're kidding yourself if you can't see the Wilpon coming out in those statements.

Yes, I meant similar production offensively. And I know that I typically undervalue defense anyway, but in 2017, our pitching ranked 28th and our offense ranked 19th. We needed to upgrade on both sides so drastically that defense is, like, a bonus. And considering our approach to improving the pitching was "hope everyone is better in 2018", we needed guys who were going to make a significant difference offensively. And Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce were not the guys we needed.

Cespedes can jump off a pier as far as I’m concerned Though as a motherly figure, I hope he can Swim I don't get this at all. The guy is hurt. We can be upset that he's hurt but I don't see why we would be upset at him. Plus this is Beltran all over again. The guy is hurt. Jeffy clearly thinks the injury is not as bad as he says it is. Tells his lieutenants to send a message through the media. Mets GM Sandy Alderson talked to reporters on Thursday about the injury to Cespedes, “I’m a little surprised it has taken as long as it has. … I’m hopeful he’ll be ready to go in the not-too-distant future.” You know what? Fuck you Sandy. The guy is hurt. He rushed back too early last year, and he ended up getting fucked. He rushed back this year, and went back on the shelf. So I'm thinking maybe we try listening to him and wait until he's healed. I don't know who the new GM will be. But give me the guy who will tell ownership to go to hell and defend our guy: "You know what? Fuck all you guys who think Cespedes is dogging it. The guy is hurt. He's working his ass off to get back. When will that be? When he's fucking recovered. Why would anyone think he's dogging it? He played out of position in 2015 for the good of the team. He played hurt throughout that postseason. He tried playing hurt last year and it blew up on him. He even tried rushing back this year and it set him back weeks. So maybe everyone chill the fuck out and let him and our medical staff tell us when he's ready to go."

Justification appears to be that they are resting him because he’s made strides in his approach and they don’t want him facing Scherzer. Make sense. Oh wait. No it doesn’t. It makes no sense at all.

What would we get for him? A decent young player under team control? Isn't that what he already is?

This is just silly. Reyes has 19 PA in the last 5 games. What the hell.

Ceetar wrote: Frazier is so so so so so SO much better than Flores and TJ Rivera combined. Todd Frazier career OPS: .773 TJ Rivera career OPS: .780 Wilmer Flores Career OPS: .734 (But, his OPS for the last three season: .788, .795, .802.) Wilmer Flores + TJ Rivera combined: 1.507

You know, I didn't even consider that a possibility. I guess the Wilpons have been successful in lowering my expectations. Actually, it might be more appropriate to say they've destroyed hopes and dreams.

metsmarathon wrote: my god. i just clicked over to bbref to look at the mets salary situation for 2019. there's not a single damned player under actual signed contract for next year (meaning i'm not including any arbitration or pre-arbitration players) that would make you think, "yeah, i'd sign him for that money for next year" cespedes $29M wright $15M bruce $14M lagares $9M - this might be the most reasonable of the damned bunch! frazier $9M swarzak $8.5M vargas $8M that's a whole hell of a lot of money to spend in return for a bunch of negative and near-zero WAR. sheesh. That is damn depressing. With Cespedes and Wright, those deals were good gambles. At least the money was spent on top tier players. One can never predict injuries, especially one like David Wright's. These guys at least had the chance to be good. It's the others on the list that are infuriating. All that money spent on middling talent. $9 million for Todd Frazier when Flores or TJ Rivera could give you similar production.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: If the Mets take an approach of "Hey we're not so bad. We only lost about 90 games. Let's let everyone get a year older and see what happens." they'll get roasted, and deservedly so. You mean the motto of Winter 2017-2018? Actually, that one might have been "Hey we're not so bad. We only lost about 90 games. Let's let everyone get a year older, drop payroll slightly, sign middling high-priced talent and see what happens."

Not sure why they would be interested in giving away top prospects for a rental when they have tons of offense anyway. You'd think they'd want to hold on to their pitching prospects. Anyway, I kinda hope it happens. The Yanks are a lock for the playoffs anyway. So I'm hoping they give away their farm to Baltimore, they get knocked out in the WC game after winning 100 games, then Machado signs elsewhere (not the NL East).

So Ricco is on record saying that the Mets can contend in 2019. I tend to agree with this too. There are already many good pieces in place here, starting with deGrom and Syndergaard obviously. But the only way I see them seriously contending is to open up the payroll. Another round of Bruce/Vargas/Swarzak/Frazier is going to put us right back here again next year. If there was any question about it last winter, all such doubts should be erased by now. The thing is, they are talking about dealing Wheeler and Matz. If that happens, who the hell do we start next year? Are they serious about signing free agents to fill 3/5 of the rotation, rebuild the offense, eat the salaries of Bruce/Vargas/Swarzak and completely rebuild the bullpen? I don't know. I mean, it certainly can be done. I just don't see the Wilpons signing on for it.

In the end I feel like we are going to be stuck with him. Even if he gets back and starts producing, I don't see any team taking on his salary for the remaining 2 years based on just a few good weeks. I guess we can hope that he kills it for the entire second half, but even then with all the talent available in the offseason I don't see anyone taking him on. Part of what makes it difficult to contend in 2019 is the money already committed to Bruce, Vargas and Anthony Swarzak.

Bruce can be traded until August 31. Not a chance in the world he wouldn't clear waivers.

smg58 wrote: If it means a title in two years, I'm all for it. That year some pitcher named Seaver made his debut. And tonight, we start another rookie righthander. The similarities are inescapable.

So, he's cooled down significantly outside of Coor's Field. OPS now down to .547. I heard his wrist was bothering him. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

These moves all make more sense if you imagine that the team is owned by Rachel Phelps, and she is plotting a move to Miami. It also explains Reyes starting both games of a doubleheader.

Edgy MD wrote: That's so much better, it's stupid. Gotta allow the kids a little more initiative too. And an opportunity to be on to the plan before everybody else, but nobody listens to kids. We should have written this damn script.

In the final battle, there is a great moment where Mr. Incredible tries to help Obnoxious Man. Obnoxious Man says no thanks old man, I work alone. Mr. Incredible sighs and says "Where have I heard that before?"

I mean, as a general rule, I have an issue with sequels that pick up immediately after the first one ends. If conflict is immediately presented, then doesn't it take away from the resolution reached at the end of the original? I don't understand why sequels to super hero movies are so hard to write. My five minute suggestion: Movie picks up after super heroes are welcomed back into society. Everyone is happy. Except that there is an obnoxious Super Hero who is cocky, plays it up for the camera, and is entertaining thoughts of running for office. He's doing so well there are whispers that he is setting up his own crimes to make himself look better. But it's ok and everyone deals. Until one day Edna goes missing. The family follows clues that lead to mysterious characters, and eventually the villain's lair. Their fears are confirmed and it's apparent that Obnoxious Man is indeed setting up all of his own crimes. The family gets ready to take him down until they finally find Edna. She has transformed her cell into a posh spa, because she's Edna. She tells them that it's not Obnoxious Man, but his unassuming sidekick that has set this all up to eventually take over Obnoxious Man's role. Edna was kidnapped because she happened upon his scheme. Sidekick is carrying out the plan for Obnoxious Man's demise right now. If they hurry, they can stop him. Edna reveals that she has secretly planted a booby trap in Sidekick's uniform, but to trigger it the family must get close to him in proximity. Big explosive finale scene where they take down the Sidekick, Obnoxious Man and Mr. Incredible work side by side and bond, and the whole family saves the day. Everyone lives happily ever after.

I found it pretty disappointing. The original was one of my favorite Pixar films, and a pretty neat movie from beginning to end. This one not so much. You're right, a lot of this was the exact same movie as the first, except not nearly as well done. Badly needed an editor as some of the scenes in the middle dragged. The plot twist is evident from the very beginning, and much of the humor is slapstick and centered around the baby.

And that’s not to say this affects everyone’s thinking. But it certainly affects some. Anyway, back to Cespedes, last night’s game made me realize that the Mets are just not going to win until he comes back. They are terrible without him. Proven time and time again. Maybe next year we have him train with someone not named “Barwis”. And I know this sounds like scapegoating, but you know, if only to shake things up.

Understood. I’m just saying toadstools are everywhere. Unfortunately. Twitter, Facebook, family reunions. I like Mets Twitter. I get fast news, different perspectives, and opinions of those that aren’t worried about getting their press credentials revoked by the Wilpons. It’s refreshing for me to know others are like minded. Sure there are jerks. I don’t follow them. Pretty simple.