Mets make two smart trades acquiring Alex Torres and Jerry Blevins

By Steven Inman

Alex Torres was the first pitcher to wear this padded hat. He elected to wear it after former teammate Alex Cobb got a concussion from a comebacker

The New York Mets made a pair of shrewd moves Monday, acquiring LHP Alex Torres and LHP Jerry Blevins. The Mets were set to enter the regular season with zero lefties with a track record, instead they picked up two solid ones in a few hours.

The first move the Mets made was acquiring Alex Torres in exchange for pitching prospect RHP Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later. Torres will be under Met control through the 2019 season. Torres is expected to wear # 53 in New York. He is not yet arbitration eligible.

Mazzoni, 25, was one of Sandy Alderson’s first draft picks as Met general manager. Mazzoni’s prospect status faded significantly after a rough 2014 that included more injury problems. The Padres will probably move the young right-hander to the bullpen where he will have a much better chance of helping a major league club. The PTBNL is most likely a 2014 Met draft pick. Those guys can’t be traded until a year after signing their draft contracts.

Torres, 27, first came up with the Rays in 2011. He had a very effective season in Tampa in 2013 before being shipped in a trade to the Padres. Torres was still a useful reliever in his lone season in San Diego but struggled mightily with his control. Torres is more effective against right-handed bats than left-handed bats thanks to a quality changeup so he isn’t a guy you bring in for a batter to get one lefty out.

That’s why the club then acquired Jerry Blevins.

Newest Met Jerry Blevins

Blevins, 31, is more of the lefty specialist that Terry Collins is looking for. Blevins held LHB to a .160 average in 2014. (.290 vs. RHB) Bob Geren, the Mets bench coach, used to manage Blevins when both were in Oakland. The familiarity was certainly a factor in the move. Blevins will wear #13.

Blevins was traded straight up to the Mets for 27-year old Matt den Dekker. The outfielder hit .238 with a homer and 13 RBI in 237 career plate appearances with the Mets. Despite his age, he still had value because of his elite glove and speed. With Juan Lagares in center and Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the team as a lefty bench bat there was no room for den Dekker here.

Washington will likely put the former Florida Gator on their major league roster with Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Nate McLouth all likely to begin the season on the disabled list. With the Mets opening the season in Washington they will see their old friend very soon.

One of the reasons Blevins was available was a reported dispute between player and team during the club’s arbitration hearing with the lefty. Blevins won his case and will be making $2.4 million in 2015 before becoming a free agent after the season. The deal puts the Mets payroll over $100 million.

Both relievers will help the Mets bullpen significantly. Yes they are both lefties but they will have very different roles in Terry Collins’ suddenly reloaded bullpen. Terrific job by Sandy Alderson and his staff handling this issue.

The Mets should cut Chris Young

By Steven Inman

Sandy Alderson had a plan last winter in free agency to bring in guys with a ton of upside. If they performed well, they would be worth their price tags. That plan has worked out miserably so far and it starts with OF Chris Young. Young started the year on the disabled list and hasn’t hit a lick since becoming a Met. Young was signed last winter by Alderson to a 1-year $7.25 million deal. The right-handed outfielder has gone on to hit .195 with a .283 OBP in 136 plate appearances with the Amazins.

Young has been used mostly as a defensive replacement this week as Terry Collins looks for more offense. The issue with that is Young isn’t a good outfielder anymore and really has no business being in the major leagues anymore. The Mets should designate Chris Young for assignment.

Young was an all-star caliber player in Arizona until April 17th, 2012. Young caught a fly ball at Chase Field and crashed hard into the center field wall. Young hit the ground and barely moved for several minutes, his shoulder seriously injured. Since that point Young is hitting under .220 in nearly 1000 at bats. Young used to be a guy who would hit .250-.260 hit 25 homers and drive in 90. “I do think about that day when I hit wall and what my career path may have been had I not done that,” Young said. “But at the same time, you can’t really regret playing the game. Those are the type of things that come with playing.” Young told the Arizona Republic when the Diamondbacks came to town last week.

It is a really unfortunate story as Young is still only 30 but he has not been the same player since that injury. If he had not gotten hurt and was still playing well then he wouldn’t have been a Met anyway. He likely would have been out of their price range or even still with the Diamondbacks.

Young has been below replacement level on both offense and defense this season according to WAR. He should be designated for assignment as the team could just use Matt Den Dekker as a defensive replacement and save a roster spot. Not Sandy Alderson’s best work here….

Matt Den Dekker called up

By Steven Inman
The Mets have called up prospect Matt den Dekker from Las Vegas. He will wear #6. He hit .296 with 34 R, 8 2B, 6 HR, 38 RBI in 53 games for the 51s.

Den Dekker will take Marlon Byrd’s spot on the roster after he was traded to Pittsburgh.

This is a big opportunity for Den Dekker. He is an elite centerfielder with power and speed but can he make enough contact at the big league level.

We will have to wait and see but Den Dekker has played well at every level of the minor leagues during his second stint at the level. After struggling hitting .220 at Triple A last year Den Dekker fared much better and merited the call up. He is not in the lineup tonight vs. the Phillies.

It’s time for Mets to make major roster changes

By Steven Inman

The Mets after losing the first two games this weekend against the hapless Miami Marlins find themselves looking at a double digit deficit for the NL East and nine games under .500.

The Mets have been playing a lot of veteran players everyday so far through the first third of the season with poor results. I think it shows the lack of depth with position player prospects in the upper levels of the Mets minor leagues. The Mets really don’t have a ton of other options that are that much better than what they are currently putting out there on an everyday basis.

That being said, the time has come to make some major roster changes. We all know top prospect Zack Wheeler should be up in about a week or 10 days but the Mets really need to find some position players for the future and the now.

Sunday marks the 54^th game of the season for the Mets, the 1/3^rd point of the baseball season. We have seen more than enough from several players on this team.

The Mets should use 2013 to determine who is part of their future and that includes a Cesar Puello call up

If there is any position player prospect who could be a part of next year’s Met team, he should be up in the big leagues right now playing every day. It’s time for Sandy Alderson to make some changes especially with players who have no future role on this team.

Look at the Miami Marlins, they’re not going anywhere this season either but they’re not using this as a lost year. They are playing many youngsters like Marcell Ozuna, Derek Dietrich, and Adeiny Hechavarria everyday to determine what their future roles are.

The Mets have those types of players, players that many front office people in the organization aren’t sure about. Players like Wilmer Flores, Matt Den Dekker and Cesar Puello are a few names that come to mind.

We talked about Flores last week who has been hot in Triple A Las Vegas. He has been playing exclusively at second base. It seems as if he is being blocked by Daniel Murphy who is playing extremely well right now. It might behoove the Mets to keep him in Triple A for now but move him to the outfield for a month or so. People say he doesn’t have the foot speed to play outfield everyday but why not make sure? That seems to be his only way of getting at bats with the Mets. If not he is most likely trade bait.

Matt Den Dekker dazzled all with his impressive centerfield play in Spring Training but broke a wrist right before the Mets had to make a decision about him. He already took the cast off and could be close to game ready again. Once he gets his timing back he should be called up. Playing him everyday has to be better than playing Rick Ankiel right?

Lastly there is Cesar Puello. Puello, 22, has hit extremely well especially against lefties this season. He has played a solid right field and there is no reason why he can’t continue to develop at the big leagues.

The Mets should call up Puello now with Den Dekker and Flores not far behind. They can’t be worse than playing guys like Rick Ankiel on moist days. Let’s see what we have with some of these young guys. I’d rather lose 95 games with young players than 90 with veteran guys.

Den Dekker getting close to playing again

By Steven Inman

Mets OF prospect Matt den Dekker, coming back from a broken wrist, will return to baseball in a few weeks, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Den Dekker really impressed with his glove in spring training and would probably be up with the Mets playing centerfield if he hadn’t got hurt instead of a platoon of Rick Ankiel and Juan Lagares.

When Den Dekker is healthy he will likely go to Triple A Las Vegas.

Rubin notes that den Dekker could begin playing baseball by early June, if not earlier.

Matt Den Dekker breaks wrist

By Steven Inman

Matt Den Dekker broke his wrist in today’s spring training game against the Tigers. Trying to catch an Austin Jackson fly ball, Den Dekker landed awkwardly on his right wrist and broke it. Den Dekker will fly back to New York where doctors will determine if he needs surgery. As of now it is unclear how severe the break is but he will miss some time in the minors. Even though Den Dekker got hurt in major league camp, he will not collect major league service time because he isn’t on the 40-man roster. Den Dekker was having an eye-opening spring with highlight reel catches but his strikeout issues continue to persist.

Matt Den Dekker hit .205 and was not going to make the Mets.

Terry Collins has been impressed with Den Dekker’s play in center field and hopes the injury doesn’t limit the prospects aggressive style in the outfield. “He’s fearless and that’s what makes him a great center fielder,” the manager said. Den Dekker will be a major leaguer because of his glove but as we have said time and time again, his bat will determine his long term future in the major leagues.

UPDATE: 3/26/13 10:03 a.m. Matt Den Dekker will not need surgery on his wrist but will be forced to wear a cast for the next six weeks.

Can Matt Den Dekker sneak his way on to the Mets roster?

By Steven Inman

We heard all offseason that one of Terry Collins’ main focuses this spring would be to help Matt Den Dekker’s approach at the plate to help him lower his ugly strikeout numbers. That hasn’t been improved but Den Dekker has shown power, speed and elite gold glove defense in centerfield.

Den Dekker is already 25 so you wonder how many improvements he can make. If the Mets think he is a finished product he should make the roster because he is already better than some of their options especially defensively. That being said if the Mets think some time in Triple A Las Vegas will help him long term, then it makes sense for Den Dekker to spend a few months in the minors. Den Dekker’s glove is certainly major league ready but the question has always been about the bat for the senior signing out of Florida.

Den Dekker will be a major league player. The question is will he be a starting centerfielder or a defensive replacement/4^th outfielder. Den Dekker’s adjustments at the plate will determine his future role.

Even in down year, lots of youth expected on the 2013 Mets

By Steven Inman

The 2013 Mets may not league the league in stolen bases or home runs but their’s a good chance they lead the league in impact rookies. The Mets have been waiting on many young players for many years now and it appears that waiting may be close to over. Sandy Alderson has been very patient but it appears that in 2013, lots of roster turnover will be evident with young players. The Mets front office must use 2013 to identify who is part of the future and who is part of a trade to bring in more pieces.

The thing I am most looking forward to in 2013 is the young players. We already saw a glimpse in Matt Harvey and his potential. If Harvey, who is just 23, is anything like he was in his ten starts during his rookie season, the Mets have a bright young star in their rotation for a minimum of six more years. Harvey was just the beginning.

Matt Harvey was just the beginning of the Mets youth movement.

Ideally the Mets see the development and major league debuts of three future impact players in Matt Den Dekker, Wilmer Flores, Travis d’Arnaud and most importantly Zack Wheeler. All four will probably start the season in triple AAA Las Vegas, just a phone call away from the big leagues. Ideally we have an idea what all four are by the end of the season.

D’Arnaud and Wheeler are coveted throughout baseball and it will be a national story when the two get the eventual call up sometime in the first half of the season.

Den Dekker, has an unusual combination for a centerfielder, range in center, power and speed. Den Dekker must cut down on his strikeouts, and if he does, the Mets will have a very quality player and a potential leadoff man on a team that has no team speed.

Matt Den Dekker

Flores’ path to the big leagues is a little more unclear. His best position is third base where David Wright is entrenched for the next eight years. That means Flores is either trade bait or must move to another position. He will play third base and second base this year in the minors so we are still in wait and see approach with Wilmer. From what I understand, at best Flores becomes a good offensive, poor defensive second basemen, kind of in the former major leaguer Carlos Guillen role.

Again these guys are still just prospects but they will make a few nights at citifield very special when they make their big league debuts.

Baseball America’s list of top-10 Mets prospects

Every year Baseball America does their top ten prospect list. The BaseballAmerica team always does a terrific job with these lists every year. They believe while the Mets system is getting better it still has a ways to go. Obviously the Mets have some good young arms but are lacking impact bats.

1. Zack Wheeler, rhp
2. Gavin Cecchini, ss
3. Brandon Nimmo, of
4. Luis Mateo, rhp
5. Rafael Montero, rhp
6. Wilmer Flores, 3b/2b
7. Michael Fulmer, rhp
8. Jeurys Familia, rhp
9. Domingo Tapia, rhp
10. Cory Mazzoni, rhp

We made a similar list on the Mets top 5 prospects a few months ago but our’s was based on immediacy or how quick a guy could get to Queens while their is just based on five tool talent.

The link here also offers these categories:

Baseball America believes Matt Den Dekker (pictured) is the Mets best defensive outfield prospect

Best Hitter for Average: Wilmer Flores
Best Power Hitter: Aderlin Rodriguez
Best Strike Zone Discipline: Danny Muno
Fastest Baserunner: Alonzo Harris
Best Athlete: Bradley Marquez
Best Fastball: Domingo Tapia
Best Curveball: Zack Wheeler
Best Slider: Luis Mateo
Best Changeup: Darin Gorski
Best Control: Rafael Montero
Best Defensive Catcher: Albert Cordero
Best Defensive Infielder: Wilfredo Tovar
Best Infield Arm: Aderlin Rodriguez
Best Defensive OF: Matt den Dekker
Best Outfield Arm: Cesar Puello

Mets Top Prospect List Sleeper Pick….

By Steven Inman

BrokeMets has talked a lot about how important prospects are for the Mets over the last few weeks or so and how the Mets farm system would probably rank near the bottom third in baseball. While behind Zack Wheeler, there isn’t much star power, the Mets do have some nice depth with their top prospects. Here would be my top five Mets prospects. Any player with more than 130 at bats or 50 innings is not eligible for this list, must be considered rookies. Mets fans should learn this list as many of these guys will make an impact for the Mets, whether it’s in a trade or playing at Citi Field. Before we get to number One on our list here is a sleeper pick to keep an eye on….

Den Dekker made this incredible catch to keep the University of Florida alive during the College World Series

Sleeper: Matt Den Dekker: We have talked about Den Dekker before but to me he is the sleeper of the Mets farm system. Already 25 time is running out for Den Dekker to prove he deserves to be the everyday centerfielder for the Mets. He is as good as it gets in center which will make him a major leaguer for sure, however his large strikeout numbers must be cut down if he wants to be an everyday player. Den Dekker was a senior signing out of the University of Florida and is blessed with great power and speed.

The Mets will go to Spring Training with Matt and see what they have in him and how close he is to contributing in the show. Den Dekker had a really nice year in Binghamton but struggled once he got to Buffalo. That is how it has gone for Den Dekker struggling at a new level but eventually figuring it out. Expect Den Dekker to go remain at Triple AAA to start the season, and put up big numbers in Vegas. Matt Den Dekker’s future with the Mets is directly tied to what the team does in centerfield this offseason. Estimated Time of Arrival: Early-Mid 2013