I draw the conclusion that we need to make a move at CF. As much as I love Taylor’s fielding, he has to be a 4th OF.
Pitching is good but will fall off a little. Hitting with RISP is really bad and will also get better. Team as a whole is above average and great at times. A fun summer will be had.
I don't think switching hitting coaches midseason would solve the issues. Hitting with runners in scoring position requires a lot of work and is often based upon each batters individual skill set and approach to hitting. You can definitely juggle the lineup a bit to improve it, but the major work would take place in the offseason.
Many good questions. I can answer one of them. Paul Blackburn is scheduled to make one more rehab start, and then will likely be activated for next week's series in LA. Mets will be in the midst of 10 games in a row, and will need a sixth starter during that stretch. What happens after that is uncertain.
Unless there is an injury Stearns made it seem like Blackburn is long man out of the pen only.
Didn’t say switching them yet, just hot seating them. I would like to hear their strategies for situational hitting etc. but they need to know they have to improve things.
Another thing Stearns has to weigh is what he has in the minors. Is Mauricio ready? Jett Williams, Benge etc. And are any of the pitchers ready to contribute?
Might Jose Siri be the CF? He is reportedly ahead of schedule and is slated to return in early-mid June. (I don't know if that means ready for a rehab assignment, or ready for the majors.)
Yes indeed. Stearns' job is over the next two months is threefold.
Hitting coaches can have strategies, but ultimately it comes down to what the player is capable of doing. Take for instance hitting a grounder to the right side to advance a runner to third. Is Pete Alonso (I'm just using him as an example) capable of doing that? Has he ever learned how? Has he ever been incented to learn how? Would learning how, earn him even one additional dollar in his next contract?
Agree, but players need to have it drilled into them that sometimes a single is all you need, you don’t have to swing for a home run all the time. And if there is a hole open on the infield to the opposite field and the pitcher pitches you outside, go with the pitch, too many times I have seen players try to pull that pitch and rollover an easy grounder. Sometimes taking what they are giving you works the best.
To your last point. These guys have been playing baseball since they were kids. They should well know the higher probability of scoring when there is a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs. Even for our team. And it should be all about what's best for the team in those situations and all the incentive needed. Not what's best for their stat line or contracts. There's a reason why if someone hits a grounder to the right side in those spots you will get high fives upon returning to the dugout where if you hit one to third or ss you don't.
You sound like a crazy person asking for a new hitting coach this year. Like you've never watched baseball even when you try to explain it.
Yes, there is a higher probability of scoring ONE RUN when there is a runner on third with less than two out. Playing for one run is no longer in vogue. Modern analytics dictate that you win with the big inning.
Just to clarify I'm not necessarily speaking about early in the game. I'm speaking late inning tight games where it might be a one-run game either way or perhaps tied like in the Friday game against the Dodgers where we could have won at least 4 times by manufacturing a single run.
lol, totally unnecessary comment, you can disagree, that’s fine. No issues with disagreements.
Siri is Taylor with a threat of power. Horrible hitter
Sure.
As I know you’re much better than the post you made. Disagreement squashed, moving on.
Taylor has earned playing time. He brings a level of energy that other players don't. If anything, Brandon Nimmo has developed into a good 4th outfielder.
There was a really good article in the Daily News recently about Lindor helping Taylor with his hitting in his hotel room on the road. I will look for it and post it if it isn't behind a paywall. Lindor is just a baseball junkie who wants to help any teammate if they seek his advice. Edit: Link to Article: Lindor-Taylor Hitting
Lindor tiedc a major league record that I'm sure he'd rather not have by making both the first and last out in a single inning.
I think we need to need to temper our expectations here. Jared Young is 29 (will be 30 in July) and is a career minor leaguer and overseas player. Yes, it is possible that he is a late bloomer who will develop into a solid major leaguer. It is more likely that he is an organizational depth guy who may have his moments as a fill-in, as he did yesterday.
Batted ball data from Cuse suggests this is for real so this is going to be an interesting one to follow.
