Edgy MD

I'd like us to go through past years and nominate candidates for the years Centerfield hasn't yet designated a winner. Final honoree is his call, of course. For 2017, I'll nominate ... T.J. Rivera

Yeah, injuries and COVID undercut whatever slim chance he had, which is true of any number of players, including many whose chances weren't so slim. Re-entering the game at his age was hard enough for anybody, but missing so many reps just pushed any hopes too far down the line. Watching him play, I really got a sense of what was missing from his football game. He had a few tools at the plate, but the snap in the wrist just wasn't there. I don't think of that as a particularly rare athletic skill, but since few people ever spent as much time as he did working with specialized biomechanics instruction, I'm guessing it's something that's pretty hard to just acquire.

I remember his first day as a Scorpion. [fimg=450]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/miracle-met.jpg[/fimg]

=MFS62 post_id=56318 time=1613605812 user_id=60]But Mazeika was signed away by the Cubs, so if he makes an impression this year it won't be for the Mets.

Saw that coming. They just kept piling veteran outfielders on top of him on the depth chart.

This thread generally is used to document retired ex-Mets and what they are up to in their post-baseball careers and lives.

I wouldn't characterize your post as representative of my position but Syndergaard had runs comparable to Bauer's 2020. It's likely been a while, but he's totally been in that stratosphere for stretches that long.

Look at Brach, rocking his goofy 2020 Players Weekend togs.

It's been a strange couple of weeks. Things were slow at Mets Roster Central and the division took some outside contracting work just to keep the lights on, and then the Mets started transacting relentlessly. This should catch them up through the 13th, but there have been a half dozen or more roster changes since then. Transactions, 1/7/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Signed Away to Minor League Contract by SEA[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Sewald-Paul-2019-1.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Paul Sewald http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]5/26/90[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB (2020)[/td90] Sewald snuck out last month, while we were all throwing up over the president presiding over an anti-American insurgency. I thought he had more to give, but if he must go, it's good to see him going to the Mariners, where all his nautical nicknames will shine all the brighter. Transactions, 2/7/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Signed Away to Minor League Contract by PIT[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/592741/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Chasen Shreve [fimg=30]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]7/12/90[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90] Shreveport will return to the Mets in someday in a deadline deal. He'll have two tenures and you might still struggle to recall him. Transactions, 2/9/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Signed Away to Minor League Contract by TBR[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://securea.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/519326.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Hunter Strickland [fimg=30]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]9/24/88[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90] You can talk about rings all you want, but Hunty leaves town with two championship rings, one from the 2014 Giants and one from the 2019 Nats. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you just happen to be in the right organization at the right time. Transactions, 2/10/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Designated for Assignment[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Traded to Boston[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Designated for Assignment[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Removed from Projected 26-Man Roster, Despite Being Out of Options, Projected for Syracuse[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Signed Away From CHC[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Acquired from KCR, Projected for Syracuse[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#00BF00]Catcher[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2]Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Oswalt-Corey-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/670174/generic/180x270/670174.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Sanchez-Ali-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://securea.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/628338.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/546991/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/666137/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Corey Oswalt [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Josh Winckowski [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Ali Sanchez http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg>[/td90][td90]Guillermo Heredia [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cuba-flag.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Albert Almora, Jr. [fimg=30]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Khalil Lee [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]9/3/93[/td90][td90]6/28/98[/td90][td90]1/20/97[/td90][td90]1/31/91[/td90][td90]4/16/94[/td90][td90]6/26/98[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]A+ (2019)[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]AA[/td90] This is a bunch of faces, but it represents two deals: the Almora signing and the three way trade that ultimately led to the Mets giving up Winckowski and bringing in Lee. Both represent the team muscling up on outfielder reserves the last few weeks, following the failure to reel in George Springer. Among other things, this means it's going to be a lot harder justifying assigning Tim Tebow to AAA this season. Two springs ago, any complaints fell in the context of "Yeah, but who exactly is he keeping down. This spring, depending on who gets hurt and stuff, keeping Tae Bo in Syracuse means perhaps four more worthy guys (Johneshwy Fargas, Quinn Brodey, Matt Winnaker, and Jacob Zanon?) will be 75 miles away in Binghamton, "going WTF?!" Transactions, 2/11/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Designated for Assignment[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Removed from Projected 26-Man Roster, Projected for Syracuse[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Signed Away by CHC[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Added to Projected Roster[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Signed Away From TOR[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Brach-Brad-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/606299/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Marisnick-Jake-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/606930/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_213,q_100/v1/people/542340/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Brad Brach http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]José Peraza [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Jake Marisnick [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Jacob Barnes http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Jonathan Villar [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]4/12/86[/td90][td90]4/30/94[/td90][td90]3/3/91[/td90][td90]4/14/90[/td90][td90]5/2/91[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90] Villar is the centerpiece here. Brings lots of defense, plenty of starting experience, plenty of time at both short and second. That's an impressive José Valentin+ of a move. Transactions, 2/12/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Traded to St. Louis[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Added to Projected Roster[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#00B050]Currency[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Sanchez-Ali-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://ssrnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MOney-sign.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Ali Sanchez [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Kash Kihnsiderations http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]1/20/97[/td90][td90]$/$/$$[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]$/$[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]=#005EFF]??[/td90] Kihnsiderations has long been a Mets target, and they are lucky he comes at the price he did here. Catching depth has quietly improved a little since last season, on both the offensive and defensive side, and Ali was odd man out. Transactions, 2/13/2021 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Undergoing Surgery, not Expected to Be Ready for Opening Day[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Added to Projected Roster[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7] Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF4A00]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lugo-Seth-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/682929/generic/180x270/682929.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Peterson-David-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/gilliam-ryley-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656731/generic/180x270/656731.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/676344/t453/180x270/676344.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Seth Lugo [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Matthew Allan http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]David Peterson [fimg=50]http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Ryley Gilliam http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Tylor Megill http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Marcel Renteria http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]11/17/89[/td90][td90]4/17/01[/td90][td90]9/3/95[/td90][td90]8/11/96[/td90][td90]7/28/95[/td90][td90]9/27/94[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]SS A+[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90][td90]AAA[/td90][td90]AA[/td90][td90]AA[/td90][td90]Direction[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2]Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/francisco-alvarez-2018.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/680722/generic/180x270/680722.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/683146/t506/180x270/683146.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/668901/t506/180x270/668901.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/mauricio-ronnie-2018.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/crow-armstrong-pete-2020.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Francisco Alvarez http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg>[/td90][td90]Nick Meyer http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Brett Baty http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Mark Vientos http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]Ronny Mauricio http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg>[/td90][td90]Pete Crow-Armstrong http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png>[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]11/19/01[/td90][td90]2/18/97[/td90][td90]11/13/99[/td90][td90]12/11/99[/td90][td90]4/4/201[/td90][td90]3/25/02[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]SS A[/td90][td90]A+[/td90][td90]SS A+[/td90][td90]A[/td90][td90]A[/td90][td90]High School[/td90][td90]Direction[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90][PTEXT=7]Invited to Camp[/PTEXT][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#BF80FF]Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/tebow-tim-2019.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Tim Tebow http://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/flag-of-Philippines.jpg>[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]8/14/87[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]High Level[/td90][td90]MLB[/td90] This batch of invitees represents a departure from explicitly stated policy of the first Alderson reign, when they didn't want to invite anybody to camp that didn't have a real chance of making the opening day roster, or at least appearing in the early season. Instead, they hearken back to earlier times when top prospects get to spend their first week or two in camp, getting a taste of the major league culture everyone hopes they call home someday soon. But with the year without minor league baseball, some of these guys — Allan, Baty, Crow-Armstrong, Meyer — have had slim to none professional experience. And when you're coming out of high school, that's a big toss into the deep end. Meyer must be the second coming of Jerry Grote on defense, because in 111 minor league games, he's hit exactly squat. But let 'em sign some autographs, get their laundry professionally done, and enjoy the smell of Michael Conforto for a few weeks. Speaking of a few weeks, MRC's prediction for Tim Tebow's farewell press conference: March 7.

I would guess that subsequent followup inquiries were made with his workmates and other flags came up. Otherwise, I imagine, if I'm the lawyer for Ryan Ellis, and the guy had abided by the terms of his disciplining, my client doesn't walk out of there without a settlement, but it's certainly possible he goes quietly to spare further embarrassment.

I thought he was a reasonably fit human. Chirinos' new employer is supposedly motivated at least in part because of Gerrit Cole's success in Houston with Chirinos behind the dish.

Had the stache to prove it. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtzV4uIVMAA0iS5.jpg>

Most fail. He may never flourish, but neither do I think the evidence has cast him as a lost cause.

I'm pretty sure the last name has been retired. Do I have that right?

There have been five first-name Robinsons in baseball history, and three have played for the Mets in the last decade, including two last season.

Pillar mainly signed hoping to meet Jonathan Villar, hoping he'll be the one to round out the power trio that he's starting with Kevin Millar.

Man, do I want a custom Acereros de Monclova microphone cube.

The lefty the Mets didn't appear to be interested in bringing back has joined the Yankees again, as the week-long unmaking of Bullpen 2020 continues.

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Yeah, Pillar would seem to spell the end of Guillermo Heredia's opening day dreams, huh. Our 4th and 5th outfielders should be able to run it down, hopefully protecting lots of late-inning wins. It puts even more heat on José Martinez. There are seven outfielders right now with MLB contracts, considering that Smitty isn't going to play first. I think Martinez's is a split contract, but he's currently on the roster. Watch out.

Part of the product of bloated bullpens, expanded rosters, and frequent roster shufflings on the back end of said bullpens. Players pass through town and scarcely get a chance to leave an imprint, good or bad. Of course, that's also a product of a strange, mostly farcical season played during multiple overlapping national emergencies.

Well, I was thinking the Mets might have walked off while playing home team in Monterrey or something.

The Hughes Corporation got his lone win as a Met in a game we saw earlier in the week, in that it was also http://thecranepool.net/phpBB32/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=29647the game that Ali Sanchez gave us his lone Met hit. You should know it at some level as it was game two of a doubleheader sweep of the Mets over the Yankees, with the Mets bizarrely serving as the home team despite playing at the Yankees' beloved as-seen-in-𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 ballpark. I'd guess that it's the Mets first walkoff win on the road since ... I don't know. Benny Agbayani's eleventh-inning grand slam in the Tokyo Dome sure felt like a walkoff, but the Mets were serving as visitor in that game, and Armando still had to go out and finish the job.

Soupy Sales, hosting Hullabaloo, August 4, 1966. To close the show, he invites his sons Hunt and Tony — who would go on to become a crack rhythm section for Iggy Pop and David Bowie, among others — to join him for a favorite song. [YOUTUBE] [/YOUTUBE]

I think this was sort of an open secret all off-season. I remember him being much bigger than I thought he'd be. His face didn't look like a big guy's face, but one day I saw Luis Rojas out on the mound handing him the ball and talking to his chest. It like Terry Collins talking to Noah Syndergaard.

Yes, I meant that it was comically harsh reporting. I'm certain there is compensation.