Edgy MD

Ouch. Gave one a modest ride.

Hey, two runners on! (For Syndergaard!)

Maybe the Cubs become the team that can't capitalize.

Nice catch of Heyward. How about that guy in the yellow jacket behind home plate?

Yoenis running like Duda out there.

That's the way, Syndie. 99 up and in.

Rizzo dives over the plate. Got to saw him off. Don't know why Matzy got caught with a change-up.

I'm reminded of Roger Cedeño's happy comfort with right and center, along with a bitter, uneasy relationship with left. But I understood that. There's something to be said about liking center. It's a tougher place to excel because there's far more ground to cover, but apart from needing the wheels to cover that ground, a lot of folks consider it easier to track balls in center because they don't break. Left field gets the worst breaks because you get the slices off the bats of the left-handed batters with the loopy swings. Which brings us back to Céspedes and right. What gives? I think a few things have to be good and broken desperately before a team goes to Conforto in center. I get the idea that if he's in center, you can be certain the team will announce a transaction shortly after the game.

I like the idea of showing him an arm porn highlight reel, and implying that there's only one thing keeping him out of it. Of course, Céspedes in right still leaves the Mets more or less unable to squeeze Conforto and Granderson into the same lineup.

The best opportunity left to them if they comply with this is a three-into-two platoon with Lagares in center and Granderson in right against lefties and Granderson in center and Conforto in right against righties. But that puts the team in a position like they had last year with Murphy at second, Flores at short, and Tejada at third. It's the crippling egalitarianism of everybody being put at an equal disadvantage by being equally out of position. There's got to be a particular golf course — Augusta National or Old St. Andrews — that the Mets could get access to for Céspedes in exchange for him playing right.

It's the only way to keep the four productive outfielders in action. If you can't physically move C�spedes to right, this is the best alternative. Conforto has four games of professional experience in right, but his mom was a swimmer, so don't expect him to sink, or something.

I'm not particularly afraid of the Nats adding a relief pitcher, or of the Yankees resigning any that they may trade to the Nats, which would only prove the Yankees didn't learn anything this season.

That's the game. As long as there are completionists, there will be another product to exploit us with.

That's a cute little cottage Mr. and Mrs. Ralph share at 42-55 Colden.

I'm fuzzled by this announcement that Yoenis Céspedes doesn't want to play center any longer, and the Mets intend to comply, at least after this series. Firstly, his willingness to play center was an explicit precursor to the team's willingness to sign him. Secondly, limiting him to left effectively keeps Conforto out of the lineup. Thirdly, if you're playing him only in left, and not in center, swapping out Nimmo for Conforto certainly makes less sense. Fourthly, if ending his tenure in center is health related, then the change should be immediate, while any health issue is most acute. The Lagares/Conforto platoon, with Céspedes swinging between center and left, was a big part of the lineup the Mets rode to the World Series last season. I'd hate to see it suddenly unavailable to them. Bonus response by ceetar: This wouldn't be an issue if they used the universal DH.

That's a really impressive image on the plaque.

Mid-season must be tough time managing at the ground floor of the full season leagues. Not only do you get your best players bounced up a level, but your reinforcements are just starting their season, so you don't know what you're getting. You hope that your players who didn't star in the first half, and so remain with you, can step things up and lead the team in the second half, but their poorer seasons have already grown roots. But sometimes God sends you something like Andrew Church, who has done well in the Florida State League but has been untouchable in the South Atlantic League. In three starts for the Fireflies, Churchie is 3-0, with a blink-and-you'll-miss it 0.42 ERA. He improbably out-pitched Jacob deGrom this weekend, throwing a nine-inning, one-hit strikeout, walking one and fanning 10. Know what else is cool? That one walk? It was his first. Church's strikeout-to-walk ratio is sitting at a stratospheric 25:1. Suck on that, Dennis Eckersly. Stepping up for the batsmen has been the thumptastic Tucker Tharp, clocking a .322 / .359 / .508 // .868 line through his first 68 plate appearances. Yeah, that's a small sample size, but a .500+ slugging percentage in the Sally League is a rare thing indeed. But here's the thing ... that one-hitter by Churchmas? That's been their only win in forever, the team having lost nine of their last 10, burying the team in last place in the South Atlantic League Southern Division for the second half standings, posting a 6-18 notice. The Mets haven't been that bad in the Sally League since Tim Teufel was managing them to a .350 record. You're on notice, José Leger. If you don't turn it around, you too might ... get socially promoted all the way up to the big league staff. Sorry not to update this in recent weeks. It makes the transaction lines, which I'm now dividing into comings and goings, really crowded. The next one will come quicker. Coming TransactionDemoted From St Lucie 7/13Promoted From Brooklyn 6/27Promoted From Brooklyn 6/29Demoted From St. Lucie 7/13Promoted From Brooklyn 7/14Activated From Suspension 7/3 Promoted From GCL 7/5Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641455/t453/180x270/641455.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656223/generic/180x270/656223.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657520/t453/180x270/657520.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657211/t507/180x270/657211.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593608/generic/180x270/593608.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657425/generic/180x270/657425.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657425/generic/180x270/657425.jpg[/fimg]NameAndrew ChurchBryce BeelerNicco BlankJimmy DuffGabriel FelizEudor GarciaEudor GarciaDoB10/7/1994 #153/9/1993 3310/29/1992 #2011/15/1993 #3912/12/1992 105/17/1994 #55/17/1994 #5TransactionActivated From 7-Day DL 7/6Promoted From Brooklyn 7/12Promoted From Brooklyn 7/7Promoted From Brooklyn 6/21Demoted From St. Lucie 6/21Activated From Inactive List 7/6Promoted From Brooklyn 6/27Position Group=#8000FF]Infielder=#FF8000] Catcher=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t3705/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641404/t453/180x270/641404.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656269/t506/180x270/656269.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606324/generic/180x270/606324.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657775/t453/180x270/657775.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607096/t3705/180x270/607096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642479/t453/180x270/642479.jpg[/fimg]NameDavid ThompsonBrandon BrosherDale BurdickVicente LupoTucker TharpJoe TuschakEmmanuel ZabalaDoB8/28/1993 #82/17/1995 #2510/12/1995 #411/27/1993 #2711/26/1991 #1110/17/1992 #229/29/1994 #9 Going TransactionAdded To 7-Day DL 6/29Promoted To St. Lucie 6/23Added To 7-Day DL 7/14 Suspended 6/27Promoted To St. Lucie 7/13Added To 7-Day DL 7/12Demoted To GCL 7/3Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641325/t3705/180x270/641325.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664869/t453/180x270/664869.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656223/generic/180x270/656223.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/596047/t3705/180x270/596047.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621179/t3705/180x270/621179.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/600958/t3705/180x270/600958.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657425/generic/180x270/657425.jpg[/fimg]NameTyler BadamoP.J. ConlonBryce BeelerChristian MontgomeryAlex PalshaNatanael RamosEudor GarciaDoB8/8/1992 #1611/11/1993 #333/9/1993 3311/20/1992 #325/10/1992 #156/19/1993 #405/17/1994 #5TransactionPromoted To St. Lucie 6/23Promoted To St. Lucie 7/6Added To 7-Day DL 7/11Promoted To St. Lucie 7/13Promoted To St. Lucie 6/21Placed On Inactive List 7/4 Retired 6/27Position Group=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664961/t3705/180x270/664961.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621420/t3705/180x270/621420.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606967/t3705/180x270/606967.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664842/t3705/180x270/664842.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657775/t453/180x270/657775.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607096/t3705/180x270/607096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642214/t3705/180x270/642214.jpg[/fimg]NameVinny SienaDavid ThompsonJeff DiehlKevin KaczmarskiTucker TharpJoe TuschakIvan WilsonDoB12/24/1993 #98/28/1993 #89/30/1993 #2410/27/1993 #1011/26/1991 #1110/17/1992 #2210/27/1993 #18 Your Columbia Fireflies (A, South Atlantic League) Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606491/t453/180x270/606491.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/600870/t3705/180x270/600870.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641455/t453/180x270/641455.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/663998/t3705/180x270/663998.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/621256/t3705/180x270/621256.jpg[/fimg]NameGaby AlmonteKevin CanelonAndrew ChurchChase IngramJoe ShawDoB8/15/1992 #401/16/1994 #310/7/1994 #154/17/1995 #612/20/1993 #28Primary Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting PitcherOther PositionsrprprprprpStatusStatistics1-3, 6.32 31.1 IP 5 BB, 18 SO5-7, 3.10 104.2 IP 19 BB, 86 SO3-0, 0.42 21.2 IP 1 BB, 25 SO4-9, 5.55 84.1 IP 35 BB, 81 SO4-6, 4.87 92.1 IP 23 BB, 95 SOPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641341/t3705/180x270/641341.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657520/t453/180x270/657520.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/665078/t3705/180x270/665078.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657211/t507/180x270/657211.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593608/generic/180x270/593608.jpg[/fimg]NameTyler BashlorNicco BlankSeth DavisJimmy DuffGabriel FelizDoB4/16/1993 #1110/29/1992 #205/8/1993 #2311/15/1993 #2512/12/1992 10Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsspspspStatusStatistics2-1, 3 Sv 1.59, 39.2 IP 20 BB, 46 SO0-0, 0 Sv 7.71, 16.1 IP 11 BB, 21 SO2-3, 1 Sv 2.42, 48.1 IP 21 BB, 49 SO0-1, 0 Sv 11.57, 2.1 IP 1 BB, 4 SO0-0, 0 Sv -.--, 0.0 IP 0 BB, 0 SOPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/664735/t3705/180x270/664735.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/596026/t3705/180x270/596026.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607654/t3705/180x270/607654.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641404/t453/180x270/641404.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/596048/t3705/180x270/596048.jpg[/fimg]NameWitt HaggardJohnny MagliozziCraig MissigmanBrandon BrosherTyler C. MooreDoB12/9/1991 #177/21/1991 #458/5/1993 #252/17/1995 #258/8/1993 #21Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Catcher=#008000]CatcherOther Positionssplf2b, 1b, lfStatusStatistics2-4, 0 Sv 2.76, 16.1 IP 12 BB, 16 SO2-2, 3 Sv 3.48, 41.1 IP 10 BB, 34 SO1-1, 1 Sv 2.96, 48.2 IP 23 BB, 47 SO.250 / .400 / .250 // .650 15 PA, 0 HR 0 RBI, 3 SB.245 / .305 / .313 // .618 166 PA, 1 HR 14 RBI, 1 SBPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656269/t506/180x270/656269.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657425/generic/180x270/657425.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606243/t506/180x270/606243.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656875/t3705/180x270/656875.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606322/t3705/180x270/606322.jpg[/fimg]NameDale BurdickEudor GarciaLuis OrtegaMilton RamosJean (J.C.) RodriguezDoB10/12/1995 #85/17/1994 #54/5/1993 #3510/26/1995 #79/3/1992 #13Primary Position=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Third Base=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Second BaseOther Positions2b, 3b, 1b, lf1bc, 2b, 1b, lf, rp2b3b, ss, lfStatusStatistics.179 / .233 / .393 // .626 30 PA, 1 HR 3 RBI, 0 SB.213 / .245 / .298 // .543 49 PA, 1 HR 5 RBI, 0 SB.229 / .283 / .326 // .609 160 PA, 4 HR 21 RBI, 4 SB.227 / .292 / .277 // .569 282 PA, 0 HR 27 RBI, 3 SB.238 / .299 / .347 // .646 343 PA, 5 HR 36 RBI, 15 SBPosition Group=#8000FF]Infielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657445/t3705/180x270/657445.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/606324/generic/180x270/606324.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/657775/t453/180x270/657775.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607096/t3705/180x270/607096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/642479/t453/180x270/642479.jpg[/fimg]NameDash WinninghamVicente LupoTucker TharpJoe TuschakEmmanuel ZabalaDoB10/11/1995 #3411/27/1993 #2711/26/1991 #810/17/1992 #229/29/1994 #9Primary Position=#8000FF]First Base=#0000FF]Left Field=#0000FF]Center Field=#0000FF]Left Field=#8000FF]Right FieldOther Positionsrfrfrf, cfcf, lfStatusAStatistics.238 / .287 / .370 // .657 327 PA, 5 HR 40 RBI, 0 SB.244 / .335 / .393 // .728 155 PA, 2 HR 21 RBI, 2 SB.322 / .359 / .508 // .868 64 PA, 2 HR 8 RBI, 3 SB.210 / .283 / .335 // .618 247 PA, 5 HR 20 RBI, 2 SB.246 / .303 / .338 // .631 66 PA, 0 HR 3 RBI, 2 SB Inactive Players Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641325/t3705/180x270/641325.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/656223/generic/180x270/656223.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641852/t3705/180x270/641852.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/643344/generic/180x270/643344.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/596047/t3705/180x270/596047.jpg[/fimg]NameTyler BadamoBryce BeelerThomas McIlrathCameron GriffinChristian MontgomeryDoB8/8/1992 #163/9/1993 332/17/1994 #206/25/9111/20/1992 #32Primary Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther Positionsrprp

Bunting Matz = probably not the right move.

That's C�spedes-brand throwing. That went from a stand-up run to out-by-10-feet in a blink.

C�spedes, mercy, stay with the play.

Well, that at-bat stunk. Rizzo hit so many fouls that Matz seemed to run out of ideas, went with the change, and KAPOWIE.

Rizzo is not above swinging from one knee.

Not so down on productive outs when you see outs as counter-productive as that.

Thanks. THAT'S what I was trying to clarify.

Welcome back to the lineup, Wilmer Flores. And Kevin Baez, apparently.