Matt Ehalt of the Record recently took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for us over at the Daily Stache. We covered topics including injuries, free agency and potential trades.
Check it out below:
Who’s a free agent that should be high on the Mets’ wish list? Why should they go after him?
I’m going to go outside the box here and avoid an offensive player since that opens a can of worms. For example, the team needs a bat, but if you sign J.D. Martinez or Jay Bruce, then it’s Michael Conforto in center ever day. He can play the position, but it’s not ideal.
Cleveland’s Bryan Shaw is a reliever I would target. He has experience as a setup reliever and has pitched in the World Series, and he would give the Mets a fourth proven option in the bullpen. The Mets need to add at least one bullpen arm.
What do you expect to get out of Matt Harvey? Is he Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland’s biggest project?
Harvey is 9-17 with a 5.78 ERA the last two years so it’s hard to expect that he suddenly will be Matt Harvey of 2015 all over again. I do expect an improvement since he’s further away from his injury, but this is two straight years he’s pitched like a No. 5 starter at best. Harvey will have motivation as a pending free agent, but that only goes so far. I would say that he is the biggest project for those two.
How do the Mets’ avoid so many injuries? Can we trust the staff, despite the departure of Ray Ramirez?
Acquire players who don’t have injury risks. The Mets were an injury-riddled team in 2016 so it should not have been a shock they were injured again in 2017. Players who are often hurt tend to get hurt again. And regarding trust, I don’t think it’s fair to place injuries at one man’s feet. These are multi millionaires who are top physical specimens. It’s not on the trainer when they pull a hamstring.
Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith…what did you think of their limited sample size? Should they be promised everyday jobs in 2018? Why or why not?
I thought both were fine although neither wowed me. Rosario has speed and is a fantastic defender, but he struggled with plate discipline. Smith hit for more power than expected, but struggled with plate discipline as well and hitting for average. They should both be the Opening Day starters but I would have insurance just in case. These guys are supposed to be the future so now’s the time to give them a chance.
If Brandon Nimmo/Juan Lagares start the year in center field, would you be disappointed or could they be a serviceable tandem? Why or why not?
I think the Mets need to find a long-term solution. I don’t believe either is a long-term answer or an everyday starter. That platoon could work if the rest of the offense is above-average, but it does not appear the Mets will have a loaded offense next year. You could survive with those two, but I think the Mets need to find an everyday center fielder who can hit at the top of the order.
Finish this sentence. By the end of 2018, the New York Mets will be…
Out of the playoffs for the second straight year, and wondering if it’s time to trade a starting pitcher to help rebuild the roster.
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