Edgy MD

"Sure, I'd love to play in (insert MLB city here). You know what would really make me me love it? You know those unpalatable option years at the end of my contract ... ?"

Who plays center? That deal sends the Mets current and future center fielder off to Colorady and leaves us with Conforto, Cuddy, Grandy, and Gonzo in the outfield, but forced to play Nieuwenhuis because he's the only one who plays up the middle.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nimmo, Fulmer, Morris and Lagares to Rockies 4 Reyes, Gonzalez. WHO SAYS NO? Niese, Tejada, Clippard, and Verrett for Tulowitzki.

It turns out the Mets could have gotten Reyes or Tulowitzki all along. They just needed the other one as trade bait.

Mets may have had a breakout game, but they ain't the only ones hitting. It's the basement still. Or again. Rank TM R/G 1 COL 4.54 2 ARI 4.35 3 SFG 4.35 4 WSN 4.23 5 LAD 4.13 6 PIT 4.03 7 STL 4.01 8 CIN 4 9 MIL 4 � LgAvg 3.98 10 SDP 3.82 11 CHC 3.8 12 ATL 3.77 13 MIA 3.62 14 PHI 3.56 15 NYM 3.53 Rank TM r/27O 1 COL 4.53 2 SFG 4.25 3 ARI 4.11 4 WSN 4.08 5 LAD 4.00 6 MIL 3.91 � LgAvg 3.82 7 STL 3.81 8 PIT 3.80 9 CIN 3.76 10 ATL 3.65 11 SDP 3.65 12 MIA 3.57 13 CHC 3.50 14 PHI 3.46 15 NYM 3.37

Any more Johnsons, Johnson?

I think the one-more-reliever concept of muscling up at the deadline is almost always an illusion � that one more doesn't typically widen the margin of error so much as make things more crowded. Improve the unit that's ranked at the bottom � that's where the room for improvement is. But hey, if he's assigned to be the lefty-killer that �lex Torres was never going to be, maybe there's room for him yet.

Reports bounced around today that the Mets have inquired about Andrelton Simmons, but found the Braves' asking price too high. I think the initial reports came from Buster Olney. Met-hatin' Met fans all over the web scoffed that it must've been a short conversation. But the Braves front office has certainly proven its willingness to deal off the contracts of outsted GM Frank Wren, and I can't see any reason that wouldn't include the arbitration-eliminating deal Simmons signed. He's declined at the plate from mediocre to poor the last two years, even as he's solidified his position as top dog defensively. Anyhow, cool that they inquired a few days before the deadline, giving either party an opportunity to come back to the table.

I blame ESPN editors. They've made him look stoopid before. Maybe they think that's Meisner.

Table below shows a 26-man roster. No word yet on who's leaving the clubhouse, but it's probably 7-Line rider Logan Verrett. Even if he survives this cut, Jon Niese is due back right after that, so it looks bad for him. You can be certain Heath Ledger-type elegies of injustice will be written for our bullpen backender. Also with some sweating to do over the next 48 hours are �lex Torres and Eric Campbell. Transaction Dealt To Oakland Acquired From OaklandTransferred From 15- Day To 60- Day Disabled List Transferred From Outfield Corps Transferred From Infield CorpsPosition=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/641861/t507/180x270/641861.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/461325.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/430637.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_493472.jpg[/fimg]NameCasey MeisnerTyler ClippardEric GoeddelKelly JohnsonEric CampbellDoB5/22/95 #??4/1/1991 #4612/20/88 #622/22/82 #554/9/87 #29 Your New York Mets Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_112526.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594798.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518774.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592789.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/461325.jpg[/fimg]NameBartolo ColonJacob deGromMatt HarveyNoah SyndergaardTyler ClippardDoB5/24/73 #406/19/88 #483/27/89 #338/29/1992 #344/1/1991 #46Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_544727.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516769.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_458730.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_570663.jpg[/fimg]NameJeurys FamiliaSean GilmartinJenrry MejiaBobby ParnellHansel RoblesDoB10/10/89 #2711/4/1986 #3610/11/89 #589/8/84 #398/13/90 #67Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_456776.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_448614.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/548337.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_608700.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_489232.jpg[/fimg]Name�lex TorresCarlos TorresLogan VerrettKevin PlaweckiAnthony ReckerDoB12/8/87 #5310/22/82 #526/19/1990 #352/26/91 #228/28/83 #20Position=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_446263.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527038.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/430637.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502517.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_514913.jpg[/fimg]NameLucas DudaWilmer FloresKelly JohnsonDaniel MurphyRuben TejadaDoB2/3/86 #218/6/91 #42/22/82 #554/11/85 #2810/27/89 #11Position=#8000FF]Infielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/346874.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_493472.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/624424.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_434158.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_501571.jpg[/fimg]NameJuan UribeEric CampbellMichael ConfortoCurtis GrandersonJuan LagaresDoB3/22/79 #24/9/87 #293/1/93 #303/16/81 #33/17/89 #12Position=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/543590.jpg[/fimg]NameKirk NieuwenhuisDoB8/7/87 #9 Designated for Assignment Position=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460055.jpg[/fimg]NameJohn MayberryDoB12/21/83 #44 Also on 40-Man Roster Position=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_571927.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_554430.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593679/t505/180x270/593679.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516714.jpg[/fimg]NameSteven Matz 15-Day Rafael Montero 60-Day Zack Wheeler 60-Day Gabriel Ynoa Dario Alvarez DoB5/29/91 #3210/17/90 #505/30/90 #455/26/1993 #631/17/89 #68Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_502195.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460283.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_234194.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_572831.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg]NameVic Black 15-Day Jerry Blevins 60-Day Buddy Carlyle 60-Day Josh Edgin 60-Day Eric Goeddel 60-Day DoB5/23/88 #386/6/83 #1312/21/77 #4312/17/86 #6612/20/88 #62Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_605333.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/592570.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/548337.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518595.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_476192.jpg[/fimg]NameJack LeathersichAkeel MorrisLogan VerrettTravis d'Arnaud 15-Day Johnny MonellDoB7/14/1990 #5111/14/1992 #646/19/1990 #352/10/89 #73/27/86 #19Position=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#8000FF]Infielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_599096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594940.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_541600.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_431151.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_571553.jpg[/fimg]NameDilson HerreraDanny MunoWilfredo Tovar David Wright 60-Day Darrell CecilianiDoB5/3/94 #22/9/89 #168/11/91 #7012/20/82 #56/22/90 #1Position=#0000FF]Outfielder=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_150212.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527049.jpg[/fimg]NameMichael Cuddyer 15-Day Cesar Puello 60-Day DoB9/27/79 #234/1/1991 #65 Coaching Staff Position=#BF0000] Manager=#BF0000]Hitting Coach=#BF0000]Pitching Coach=#BF0000]First Base Coach=#BF0000]Third Base Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/492632.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/438989.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123951.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114961.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123212.jpg[/fimg]NameTerry CollinsKevin LongDan WarthenTom GoodwinTim TeufelDoB5/27/49 #1012/30/6612/1/52 #597/27/68 #277/7/58 #18Position=#BF0000]Bench Coach=#BF0000]Bullpen Coach=#BF0000]Ass't Batting Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114712.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/111191.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pat-roessler-1.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/mike-barwis.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dustin-clarke-1.jpg[/fimg]NameBob GerenRicky BonesPat RoesslerMike BarwisDustin ClarkeDoB9/22/61 #154/7/69 #2512/27/596/6/73circa 1987Position=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/534948.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/430002.jpg[/fimg]NameDave RacanielloEric LangillDoB6/3/78 #547/7/58 #18

Dang it all. Meisner was flying below the radar up until now, but was really having a breakthrough year. I was following him from start to start, and I liked to pretend that he was Randy Meisner's son, even though he looked more like Richie Cunningham's snarky hipster brother.

Seems to me that we're in a world of options where, if we really want a reliever (and I'm not thinking we should, so much), there's a world of opportunities out there of guys with less name-brand juice but who who the Peter Brands in the front office have identified as justasgood. How about Mark Lowe and his thimble-full of ERA with Seattle? Not old enough? Joe Beimel is like 100. The Padres got Joaquin Benoit and Shawn Kelley setting up Kimbrel. That seems a little bit of overkill for a team with so few saves to build, no? It's 2015. Capable veteran relievers can be hunted and trapped in the wild for free. Think offense, Mets. The only reason you should be looking for relievers is if Atlanta is demanding Hansel Robles in the little Andrelton Simmons package you're assembling.

And suddenly, signs start pointing to TheMetsTheMetsTheMets. Threatens to make our ex-Yankee factor dangerously high.

A quick look at the Web and I learned that Clippard is going to be traded today to everybody.

Frayed Knot wrote: Chad Ochoseis wrote: _ U-RBI!!!!![/bigpurple] And we have a winner in the 'Guess the NYC Tabloid headline for tomorrow' contest. [fimg=350]http://www.nydailynews.com/cmlink/nydn.CoverContent?newsletter=true&ctype=back&cdate=20150727&dt=landscape_235_300[/fimg] [fimg=350]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/27-bp_lcf-copy.jpg?w=390[/fimg]

Sure, nothing's permanent. I'm not even sure if this arrangement exists even temporarily. Just speculating. Sometimes, though, platoons happen even though not all guys have splits that argue for it. Sometimes only one half of the platoon has a meaningful split (Flores and especially Murphy 2015 in the two infield cases here). Sometimes, it's just a way to get multiple guys in the lineup. Swapping U-Ribbie in for Murphy sure worked yesterday, even if he did ultimately get his game-winning hit off of a righty.

Wow. This got some of the most vicious reviews I've seen in a while.

I think it's more likely that Sandy's declaration that his "big four" of young pitchers was untouchable got some excitable over-thinkers concluding, "OMYGAWD, he's actively shopping Wheeler!!" Then they filled out their own wish lists, and it suddenly qualified as an active rumor, despite no real information credited to official sources.

I tend to think Veteran Relief Help is something everyone is gunning for at deadline time, and nobody really gets an edge from. I mean, we've been through crunches with six or seven starters, and now they have three closers. Come October, the back end of the rotation lands in the bullpen anyhow. Maybe they can trade Gilmartin for a veteran guy. I'm curious about whether they really intend to go the distance without a left-handed specialist, while they have Dario Alvarez, Chase Huchingson, and Scott Rice totally getting the job done on the farm. Duane Below too before he went to Japan.

Pitcher WAR deGrom 3.6 Syndergaard 1.9 Harvey 1.8 Colon 1.7 Niese 0.5 Montero 0.3 Gee 0.2 Matz 0.1

I have heard that, in this clan, you are called "The Forgotten Man." Glad to see you're feeling better, Cesar. Take heart in knowing that you are still ahead of Cory Vaughn on the organizational depth chart. Or will be, once your rehab is through. Don't do drugs. TransactionSent To GCL On Rehab AssignmentPosition=#0000FF]Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527049.jpg[/fimg]NameCesar PuelloDoB4/1/1991 #65

I imagine a longer rehab period correlates with a longer DL stint. And obviously, with d'Arnaud, there's getting your timing back at the plate, but there's also getting physically and mentally prepared to catch nine innings in July. And then do it again the next day. Similarly, starting pitchers tend to get a little longer time on the farm than relievers, so's'n' they can go multiple innings upon their returns.

FanGraphs sees a two-man race at this point, and Greinke, amazingly, isn't among the two, measuring by their WAR numbers. Cole is right out. [list:2se7qcsq]1) Max Scherzer, Nationals: 4.8 2) Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: 4.7 T3) Zack Greinke, Dodgers: 3.7 T3) Jake Arrieta, Cubs: 3.7 5) Jacob deGrom, Mets: 3.6 6) Gerrit Cole, Pirates: 3.1 T7) Johnny Cueto, Reds: 2.9 and done T7) Lance Lynn, Cardinals: 2.9 T9) Jon Lester, Cubs: 2.8 T9) Tyson Ross, Padres: 2.8[/list:u:2se7qcsq] I guess they see his lower strikeout numbers (20th in the league, compared to Kershaw and Scherzer being #1 and #2) as damaging to his case. Still, that ERA.

Sorry, I had Bo Diddley in my head.

I got the idea you existed solely to slay the dragon that was Piazza4Prez. That guy was a gold medal winner in un-self-awareness, and you stepped up to the podium and placed that ribbon around his neck.