Edgy MD

The Mets like to develop players out of college. Especially the ones who major in studies and letter in sports.

John Mitchell started 19 games for the championship-defending 1987 Mets, as well as one more for the championship-winning 1986 Mets. He was still hanging around as late as 1989, but I wouldn't know him if he came up to me on an airplane and sat on my lap.

I imagine you mean to refer to Brandon Sproat.

I am pretty sure the reason that they didn't bring back Iglesias is that they preferred a disposable guy (for lack of a better term) who wouldn't get in the way as they give opportunities of to their younger infielders. Sadly, they are forced to exercise his disposability early.

Transactions, 2/18/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]COMING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Signed away from CIN to Minor-League Contract[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Position Group [/th][th]Starting Pitchers[/th][/tr] [tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/656818/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Connor Overton [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/usa_m.png[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]1993-07-24[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]L/R[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][/tr][/table] The Mets will be the seventh organization for Connor Overton — three of which have punched major-league tickets for him, if only for short periods. He also has been with two unaffiliated teams, so he pretty much defines "journeyman pitcher." He has spent the last two years trying to his form back after UCL surgery, but his post-op appearances so far have been ineffective. His one run of MLB success came back in 2022 when he gave the Reds a 2.73 ERA over 33 innings, but he somehow put that stretch together with a startling lack of strikeouts, so you can hardly be blamed if you suspect that run wasn't particularly sustainable. And that came before the surgery. He's been a starter through most of his career, but the starting picture is so dense right now as to place him at 19th — way down at Brooklyn — on the Mets' depth charts. That should loosen up as spring progresses, but he'd be closer to the show if he switches to the pen. His signing does not include a camp invite, so it'll likely be a few months — if ever — before you hear his name again. Transactions, 2/22/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Position Group [/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][/tr] [tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/683450/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Javier Atencio [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]2001-11-26[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]L/L[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][/tr][/table] You can't on the other hand, get lower on the depth chart than Javier Atencio, who hasn't pitched since 2023, and has been hammered in the low minors. Sometimes you trigger your release just by showing up at camp and somebody saying, "Oh, wait, you're still here? I think there's been a miscommunication. He might have gotten an extra paycheck or two just by staying home and keeping quiet and see how long it took them to notice the direct deposits were still happening. Transactions, 2/23/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Injured and Projected to Open Season on Injured List[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Position Group [/th][th] Infielder[/th][/tr] [tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/663611/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Nick Madrigal [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/usa_m.png[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]1997-03-05[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2024)[/td90][/tr][/table] As noted above, Mets Roster Central didn't have Nick Madrigal as the top contender for the fifth infielder spot on the Mets — his record has just been two sparse, partially due to unfortunate circumstances like those he sadly encounters again. His injury is a disappointment, but it naturally (if macabrely) gives hope to several young infielders, as well as vets like Yonny Hernandez and Donovan Walton. It also means José Iglesias joins José Quintana on the list of 2024 Mets who are free agents who are suddenly looking like candidates to return.

Yikeys.

Really hard to ask for more. Clay Holmes goes three perfect innings in his first start. Alonso takes walks in both of his trips. Soto hotos in his first time at the plate. Baty even got a knock. The biggest downside is Kevin Parada whiffing both times up.

It probably won't be as good as we'd like. That is certainly the way of things.

Yeah, I am not so sure why folks are down on the pitching staff either.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Did Al Leiter have to buy number 22 from anyone? Al's predecessor in #22 was Alex Ochoa who was conveniently traded off two months before Al's acquisition. I don't think Al would pay for a number. I think he'd send somebody by your house and you and he would come to an understanding.

Scott Sauerbeck, long-time Pirates reliever originally drafted by the Mets before he was Rule 5-d away, has reportedly died at 53 of a heart attack. The story comes out of Bradenton, Florida, so I assume he was participating in camp with the Bucs.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I saw an article from the U.K. (the Daily Mail) pointing out concerns about Soto having developed a potbelly since the World Series ended. =Gwreck post_id=185648 time=1740072885 user_id=56] I believe it's a Chevy Tahoe.

Yeah, people swing and miss at Edwin Diaz frisbee sliders two and a half feet off the plate. Fun fact: There are currently at least two minor-league players with the first name Maddux, and perhaps a few dozen more coming up through the high school and college ranks.

Transactions, 2/18/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Signed away by BOS Minor-League Contract[/td90][/tr][tr][th]Position Group [/th][th]Relief Pitchers[/th][/tr][tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/493603/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr][tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Adam Ottavino [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/usa_m.png[/fimg][/td90][/tr][tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]1985-11-22[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]S/R[/td90][/tr][tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2024)[/td90][/tr][/table] According to virtually all accounts, Judy is a punk, Suzy is a headbanger, Sheena is a punk rocker, Heidi is a headcase, Ramona is a spy for the BBI, Jackie is a punk, a bookie, and a hooky-playing scalper, and Judy 2 (or possibly the same Judy) is a runt, loanshark, poolshark harassment victim. But no publicly available evidence supports the assertion that Adam is a ****er. He returns to Boston in his age-39 year trying to build on a 14-year career. Transactions, 2/11/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Signed away by ATL Minor-League Contract[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Position Group [/th][th]Relief Pitchers[/th][/tr] [tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/518617/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Jake Diekman [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/usa_m.png[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]1987-01-21[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/L[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2024)[/td90][/tr][/table] Jake Diekman heads to Atlanta just a year younger than Adam with 13 seasons or so under his belt. Good luck to him, but not too much.

He may have left it all on the field there, too, as he only appeared in two games after that, pitching poorly against the Braves, allowing homers both times out, and then shutting down for the rest of the season.

Harrelson also ran the bases well.

=Gwreck post_id=185600 time=1739994862 user_id=56] Struck out Aaron Judge on a Franco-to-Bonds style pitch to close out a win against the other NY team last year.

Frayed Knot wrote: Decent pitcher in blowout games. Nail biter in close games. Wow! A pitcher who was more likely to close out a game with a large lead than with a tight one. Has Mr. Ripley been contacted about this for his book? It was more diplomatic than saying I never trusted the fucker in a close game. Later A "fucker," now? Jesus.

Was fully aware of his crappy job holding on runners, and owned it, announcing each spring of having dedicated his offseason to a program to improve in that department. But some of us struggle to do two things at the same time, sucking at keeping two important thoughts in our heads at once. What's that, Honey? Yeah, I'll get the lunch dishes in a minute! What?! I'm writing a post! I said I'd do it and I'll DO it!! Fuck it, I forgot what I was gonna write.

Never officially announced on MLB wires, but reported about eight days ago as having signed minor-league style with the Braves. With the signing, Atlanta has additionally invited Diekman's beard to report to major-league camp. [fimg=600]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.outkick.com%2Fwww.outkick.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F05%2Fjames-diekmna.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=93a1d993026692cfe77db87fd6e88056d34f5499e57b95726bae1358339e9200&ipo=images[/fimg]

The three-year New York Met reliever returns to the Red Sox — the team he was with immediately before the Mets — on a minor-league deal. Boston, he remembers, had the tastiest jerseys. [fimg=600]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2024%2F05%2FAdam-Ottavino.jpg%3Fresize%3D87&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=261cd6b0612a936f214c9ce89c71559eb1d154e594b93c4c5c977eba73c994ac&ipo=images[/fimg]

I hope this inspires the league to force teams to make all challenges have to be instant, rather than after a manager holds up his hands while a staff of magic elves quickly review the call in the clubhouse.

MRC staff have an algorithm that predicts this, and the algorithm gives Mauricio the higher profile at the moment. Sometimes adhering to the algorithm — which incorporates the players' professional statistical profile and ignores potential outcomes that can perhaps be gleaned from behavioral patterns — leads to obstinacy. But the staff agrees that the bias of the math is less problematic than their own biases. MRC definitely sees that fifth infielder spot as the #1 battle of camp.

Thanks for the skinny, and keeping this good man from going any more days unreported. Transactions, 2/5/2025 [table][tr][th]Direction[/th][td90]COMING[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Signed away from CHC to Minor-League Contract, Projected for Binghamton[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Position Group [/th][th] Outfielders[/th][/tr] [tr][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/665482/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]Name [/th][td90]Gilberto Celestino [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/dominican-republic-flag-small.png[/fimg][/td90][/tr] [tr][th]DoB[/th][td90]1999-02-13[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/L[/td90][/tr] [tr][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2022)[/td90][/tr][/table] Gilberto Celestino, who spent time with the Twins in 2021 and 2022, doesn't seem to have a camp invite with his contract, according to the info we've been able to uncover. He appears to be a pure centerfielder, who hasn't hit enough to stick, and his most immediate impact seems to be knocking Drew Gillbert's initial 2025 destination from Syracuse down to Bingo. That is, unless things change, which they tend to do. Until then, we have a Gilberto Gil matchup.

Has any team entered a season where fans didn't think one more reliever was key?